Brendan Rodgers hit back at critics after the Hoops showed in Bergamo that they can defend in the Champions League following an oustanding defensive display.
Rodgers was criticised greatly by the media over his approach against Borussia Dortmund in Germany during a 7-1 defeat last time out in the Champions League.
However, this evening he proved against the Europa League winners that he can mastermind clean sheets away from home in Europe.
He said: (Football Scotland), “It gives them (the team) the confidence that you can defend against a top team.
“I’m not sure whether that was pragmatic enough for some people. You’re never comfortable until the final whistle goes especially against a top team.
“Sometimes the luck goes against a Scottish team but we defended manfully and stood up to be counted.”
The Irishman clearly took criticism from the media that Celtic need to be more pragmatic very seriously, as he doubled down on how his approach won’t change pre-match.
In some ways, tonight was the perfect combination of pragmatism and compromise, with Rodgers sticking to his managerial principles while mixing it up by playing out from the back and going long at points.
It was a night that will be remembered for the Hoops’ first clean sheet in the Champions League in just over seven years, which coincidentally came under Rodgers against Anderlecht in a 3-0 win.
