Champions League: Brendan Rodgers hails Celtic after RB Leipzig win

Brendan Rodgers praised the "charisma and bravery" of his Celtic team after they fought back from falling behind to secure a victory against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

Leipzig, currently positioned second in the German Bundesliga, managed to take the lead in a lively Celtic Park. However, a pair of goals from Nicolas Kuhn put the home team ahead by halftime, and Reo Hatate ensured the win with his goal.

When asked if the victory - which puts the Scottish champions close to securing a spot in the play-off round - was the most significant European result during his time at the club, Rodgers replied, "Yes, I believe it is, considering the quality of the opponent."

He mentioned, "It wasn't solely about the outcome; it was also about how we played. We approached the match with a lot of energy and self-assurance, demonstrating bravery in our pressing."

"Competing at that level would truly be the ideal choice."

Following a strong start against Slovan Bratislava, a disappointing defeat to Borussia Dortmund, and a tough draw with Atalanta, this win puts Celtic at seven points as they reach the halfway mark of their campaign.

Their next match is at home against Club Brugge, followed by an away game against Dinamo Zagreb. After that, they will host Young Boys before finishing the season with another away match against Aston Villa.

At the moment, they are positioned 13th in a league of 36 teams, sharing the same points as Manchester City, who are in sixth place. If they finish in the top eight, they will automatically qualify for the last 16. Meanwhile, finishing between ninth and 24th would send them to the play-off round.

Analysis from Opta suggests that gathering 16 points would nearly guarantee a spot in the top eight, while accumulating 10 points would likely be sufficient for a playoff position.

"We need to remain grounded in what we do and not let ourselves get too carried away," Rodgers expressed.

"It boosts our confidence significantly. In our last two matches, we've realized that we can truly compete at a high level."

"If someone had suggested to us after the Dortmund match that we would earn four points in our following two matches, I doubt many would have believed it."

"It's an exciting advancement and really motivates us to aim for the play-off stage, but we have plenty of work ahead."

Former Scotland international James McFadden shared his thoughts on Sportsound: "It was impressive. Celtic showed a period in the first half where, in previous times, they might not have coped well with the challenges and pressure."

"They emerged from that situation and completely took control in the second half. Celtic remained true to their style of play. They didn’t waver and maintained their confidence."

Former Celtic keeper Joe Hart shared on TNT Sports: "It was an outstanding performance in Europe."

"Their performance during the match was impressive... Callum McGregor took control, while Nicolas Kuhn stood out with his brilliance."

Ex-Scotland player Pat Nevin commented on Sportsound: "Let's celebrate Kuhn, but let's also acknowledge every player. They all performed at a high level, scoring eights and nines in my book. McGregor deserves a special mention with a nine-and-a-half; he was outstanding."

"Celtic surpass RB Leipzig in terms of overall team quality. This isn’t just a fluke or a lucky break; Celtic’s players are superior to those of RB Leipzig when you compare them individually. I can't say I'm even slightly taken aback by this."

Neil Lennon, a former player and manager for Celtic, shared his thoughts on TNT Sports, saying, "This was one of the finest home displays by a Celtic team since the Martin O'Neill era. It was a pleasure to witness."

What are your thoughts on Celtic's display? Do you think this is their most impressive European outcome with Brendan Rodgers at the helm?

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