Brendan Rodgers wants Celtic to ‘play without fear’ against Bayern Munich

Celtic travel to Germany 2-1 down in the Champions League knockout phase play-off

(PA Wire)

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has urged his team to play without fear and have no regrets against Bayern Munich.

Rodgers’ side have travelled to Germany 2-1 down in the Champions League knockout phase play-off but Daizen Maeda’s late goal at Parkhead has given the Hoops fans a glimmer of hope.

Celtic are in the knockout rounds for the first time in 12 years and Rodgers feels the pressure is off ahead of their second leg at the Allianz Arena.

Rodgers said: “It is a challenge at this level. But it’s something that we want to embrace, that challenge.

“We’ve done very well to get to this point. When you get to this point, you want to play top-level teams. This is a team that has world-class players.

“I think it’s just spelling out that you come to this level and you have to play without any fear.

“I think there’s worse things in life that can happen than losing a game of football. So for us, we want to ensure that when we come in after the game, if we don’t go through, we’ve given it absolutely everything.

“I look at this game and I’m so glad I have this group of players that have a great mentality and incredible professionalism and they can go and show that.

“Then we know that we’re in with a chance as long as you can take that opportunity to give your very, very best. The regret is always if you don’t, you just turn up too late for the game.

“So there’s no second chance. We’ve got the one opportunity.

“I see it as a wonderful opportunity. I know that even if we go out after this game, this has been a great adventure for us this season and we’ve shown progress at this level. That’s what we wanted to do. We wanted to make sure that we have that respectability.”

Rodgers believes Celtic have learned major lessons from their 7-1 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in match day two.

“In the Dortmund game, we chased the game,” Rodgers said. “We had scored early on and the lessons were from that. Our plan was to be stable and steady and compact.

“I think that’s been the big learning for us from that game. You’re not tight, you’re not stable, you’re not compact, you’re not concentrated and you leave space for world-class players.

“It’s the mark of the group. We’re a humble group. We came away and had some really good performances after that.”

Rodgers’ main dilemma appears to be whether to start Maeda or Adam Idah through the middle after the Japanese striker helped change the game with his pressing when he moved inside during the first leg.

That could mean Jota starting his third game since returning to Celtic and Rodgers would be happy to start with the Portuguese winger.

“Yes, if we decide that’s what we need to do,” he said.