Brendan Rodgers took a light-hearted approach to questions over Cameron Carter-Vickers’ own goal howler – as he made a brilliant Nicolas Kuhn assist quip.
The Celtic boss – like his star defender and team-mates – could only watch on in horror midweek in the Champions League as his pass back to Kasper Schmeichel rolled into the bottom of the net with the veteran out of position expecting the pass to come directly from the German winger. The USA international and his Hoops colleagues recovered to claim a share of the points after Daizen Maeda‘s wonder strike to take a giant step towards the knockout rounds.
The own goal itself left pundits shocked on the night with John Mjallby stating ‘It’s not Christmas yet’ over the incident. Asked if he’s had to lift the spirits of Carter-Vickers on the training ground in the days since the moment to forget under the lights at Parkhead, Rodgers replied: “It is just reinforcing it. It is not so much him himself. It is just one of those things.
“I said to Nicolas Kuhn as long as he doesn’t claim the assist as he seems to be getting assists left, right and centre these days. But just one of those things. We needed to get into shape earlier, that was the correction we make on it.
“But he’s been a real colossal player for this club and will continue to be. His response in the game was actually very, very good. One of those things that happens in the game. But his and the teams response was very good.”