Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that the players who came in to fill the absence of a few first team regulars against RB Leipzig gave a good account of themselves despite the result.
The Bhoys suffered their second straight loss in the Europa League after succumbing to a 2-0 defeat at RB Leipzig on Thursday night with goals from Matheus Cunha and Bruma making the difference for the hosts.
Rodgers’ men were not favourites to come away with a result in Germany and were undone by two quick-fire goals within four first half minutes to put them in a difficult situation in Group B of the competition.
The Hoops also handed out starts to Lewis Morgan, Ryan Christie and Eboue Kouassi among a few other fresh faces due to the absence of James Forrest, who served a suspension, Tom Rogic, Leigh Griffiths, Filip Benkovic, Kristoffer Ajer and Scott Brown.
Rodgers, who claimed that Celtic are capable of getting a result in the reverse fixture at Parkhead, insisted that the young players who started the game took the opportunity well and gave it their all in a tough ask.
“Young Lewis up front alongside Edouard had a couple of good moments in the first-half, he did very well”, Rodgers told a press conference.
“We had to change him slightly in the second-half but he did very well.
"Kouassi came in and made tackles and got on the ball and tried to get us playing forward.
“Ryan Christie was also very good and worked hard.
"For a lot of the guys coming in having not played, sometimes they take that extra touch on the ball that you won’t get at this level.
“But that goes across the whole team. I thought we needed to play a lot quicker at times but that is something that comes with experiences.
“The guys who came in gave us everything and they will be better for it”, he added.
Celtic will now shift their focus to the Scottish League Cup semi-final clash against Hearts on Sunday.
