Celtic’s doubters have had very little to feed off this season as the Bhoys continue to enjoy a robust start to the campaign under Brendan Rodgers.
Barring the Hoops’ heavy defeat in Dortmund that came on Champions League matchday two, the Glasgow giants have been unbeaten in their other exploits domestically and on the European scene.
Consecutive results against Atalanta and Leipzig for Celtic have put the reigning Scottish Premiership champions on seven points from four league phase fixtures, elevating their chances of progressing deeper into the tournament.
Over the years, supporters of other clubs and some pundits have taken joy out of putting the boot into the Bhoys after European losses. You would love to hear their thoughts on how this campaign is showing up so far.
Either way, Brendan Rodgers has delivered his verdict on how Celtic deal with scrutiny and whether their victory over Leipzig sent a message to their detractors.
Brendan Rodgers on Celtic’s Champions League doubters
Speaking yesterday in his press conference ahead of Celtic’s trip to face Kilmarnock, Rodgers made it clear his side’s back-to-back results against Atalanta and Leipzig weren’t motivated by their critics, but rather show the Bhoys are a team heading in the right direction.
He stated: “You’re always going to have critics. Listen, I’ve had that since I started coaching and moved into management. So, it’s not going to change. That won’t change until I retire. Even then, it probably continues.
“So, it’s mainly about us in here looking to correct and analyse where we can be better. You’re always going to have critics. So, you understand that. And sometimes it will be deserved and sometimes it won’t. But it’s always going to be there.
“But what’s important is how you deal with that. And I’ve always been one that there’s a way to deal with a setback and try and make sure that didn’t define us. And I think it’s clear to see the spirit in the group, the quality in the group and how they’ve responded to that.
“Because that takes a lot of courage to do what they’ve done, especially going from Dortmund to Atalanta, who are an absolutely fantastic team, to get that result there.”
Celtic have character within the squad in abundance
Evidently, some will always look to find fault when it comes to Celtic, but everyone connected with the club knows they have the right mentality to succeed domestically and on the continent.
Alongside their progress in Europe, the Bhoys are well in the hunt for another Scottish Premiership title and also find themselves competing for the Premier Sports Cup against Rangers next month at Hampden.
While the prospect of European success is exciting, league duty takes precedence tomorrow when the champions make their way to Rugby Park.
