Brendan Rodgers admits the Borussia Dortmund bashing dented his spirit – but it hasn’t shaken his attacking DNA.
The Celtic boss was bruised by the Champions League gubbing in Germany three weeks ago and wants an instant reaction against Atalanta in Italy. But Rodgers is NOT going to abandon his coaching principles and park the bus against the reigning Europa League champions. The Hoops boss – who suffered a blow with Cameron Carter-Vickers ruled out – said: “We’re looking forward to the experience again. We’ve played two games now, the first one (the 5-1 Slovan Bratislava win) you come off and you feel absolutely amazing. It’s a great feeling.
“Then you come off after the second game and it feels like an assault on your spirit. But that’s life at this level. We’re really looking forward to the challenge playing against a really good team. I started coaching many, many years ago, over 25 years ago, and from the very beginning, my coaching has always been aggressive. And until the day I finish, it will be aggressive. That’s how I work.
“But I’m also respectful that you play against teams at a certain level and certain opponents, where you have to really look at their strengths. But I don’t tell them not to do that in every game, because I do, no matter what team I’m playing, whether it’s in Scotland or in the Champions League.
“It’s the level at which you can get punished. So I think it’s one where you have to have the balance in your game. I think if you look at this club here in Atalanta, it’s a great example. Obviously, they have totally different resources – they are way above us in terms of that.
“But if you look at the actual principle of it, they came through and arrived at this level. I’m sure the manager will tell you that they had some really harsh learning experiences in terms of the games that they played, especially against the top Premier League teams. It was a real, real challenge and the scorelines were difficult for them.
“But then they come away and they learn from that, I’m pretty sure, and stick with the philosophy, but still look at certain areas where they can be better and improve. And of course then you become better with that.
“So, if you’re talking about a pragmatic coach, it’s a different coach, I’m a different person. And that’s not to say that we go into the game and just be all out at attack, all out front foot. That’s not how it is.
“But if a coach’s DNA is to sit back and be that, then that’s not me. And it won’t be. It won’t be. It’s as simple as that.
“My idea is to have an attacking philosophy, which is about defending and defending well. Defending when you haven’t got the ball, being really aggressive and really strong in closing spaces. And then when you have the ball, look to create opportunities. But that’s not to say I don’t respect the different levels in the game, because I absolutely do. But I’ll always be mindful of having a balance in both attack and defence.”
Rodgers took a battering from some quarters for the Dortmund defeat – with many English pundits putting the boot into Celtic and Scottish football. The Hoops boss reckons his side are harshly judged at this level at times – but he’s determined to make the critics eat their words.
Rodgers said: “I think that if you get any sort of common sense and logic, you would see that. But it’s something that doesn’t count. You don’t get the leeway. That’s the reality of it.
“It’s an opportunity for people to beat you over the head with a stick, and that’s clear. So I’m not going to get too emotional about it. I don’t listen too much.
“It’s a perfect storm for some people. I can’t change that. I’m not even going to be bothered to try, to be honest. There’s no leeway given. So we just have to concentrate on our own club, keep trying to improve and see where it takes us.”
Carter-Vickers took part in light training in Glasgow on Tuesday morning but didn’t make the flight, while Greg Taylor also misses out but is expected to return to the group by the weekend.