Celtic showed they are a 'proper team' in Bayern defeat, says Brendan Rodgers

Celtic showed they are a 'proper team' in Bayern defeat, says Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers says the disappointment Celtic's players feel is a reflection of how well they played 

Brendan Rodgers set his sights on securing Europa League football with his "improving" Celtic side after they were knocked out of the Champions League.

A 2-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich means the Glasgow team can only finish as high as third in Group B, which would take them into the second-tier competition after Christmas.
Celtic are three points clear of Anderlecht, a team they defeated 3-0 five weeks ago and who they host on December 5.
Rodgers believes his squad is adapting to the challenge of competing with the continent's best clubs and after a strong display against Bayern, wants it to fulfil its potential.
He said: "The disappointment in the changing room afterwards lends us to thinking of how we played tonight and our performance level.

"That disappointment really shows how well we played. With the level of composure and quality we played with, I was very proud of the team. We caused Bayern lots of problems.
"We looked like a team that's developing at the [right] level. Okay, we're disappointed to have lost but there are so many positives from the game.
"Now, what we've got to do is go on and finish off well in these next two games. PSG will be a big test for us then we're back here in the final group game with Anderlecht.
"We want to achieve what we set out to achieve, which is to have European football after Christmas.
"If we do that, it's a great marker and a great measure of the way the players are progressing. The idea is to get there, first and foremost.

Kingsley Coman slotted home after a string of Celtic errors to put Bayern in front
Kingsley Coman slotted home after a string of Celtic errors to put Bayern in front

"That disappointment really shows how well we played. With the level of composure and quality we played with, I was very proud of the team. We caused Bayern lots of problems.
"We looked like a team that's developing at the [right] level. Okay, we're disappointed to have lost but there are so many positives from the game.
"Now, what we've got to do is go on and finish off well in these next two games. PSG will be a big test for us then we're back here in the final group game with Anderlecht.
"We want to achieve what we set out to achieve, which is to have European football after Christmas.
"If we do that, it's a great marker and a great measure of the way the players are progressing. The idea is to get there, first and foremost.

Callum McGregor celebrates equalising for Celtic
  Callum McGregor celebrates equalising for Celtic 

"There's still some crack teams who will be involved in that competition after Christmas as well and we want to get there.
"We want to get there playing a level of game and a level of football that lets you go as far as you possibly can.
"I think tonight we showed with that level of performance that we are certainly improving at the very highest level."
Celtic fell behind when a defensive mix-up allowed Kingsley Coman to score and after eventually drawing level through Callum McGregor, Javi Martinez headed the winner 13 minutes from the end.
While losing the way they did was frustrating for Rodgers, he took heart from the positive aspects of his team's performance.
He added: "We showed a really high level of tactical idea and technique to play. We still have a bit of work to do on that front but the likes of Callum were exceptional.

"The goal was a wonderful demonstration of two Scottish players showing a great bit of skill.
"James (Forrest) coming inside and lifting that ball over… If that was a European player who did that, everyone would be raving about it.
"Kieran Tierney, up against Arjen Robben, I thought was outstanding again. Scott Brown controlled the midfield and Moussa (Dembele) gave us a platform up front.
"We're disappointed with the goals. You get punished at this level in particular but overall we looked like a proper team."



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