Brendan Rodgers has revealed how he sees Young Boys ahead of tomorrow night’s must-win Champions League match at Celtic Park.
With Young Boys sitting at the bottom of the Champions League table and already eliminated, Giorgio Contini’s side has pride to play for at Paradise. They have endured six defeats in as many matches, including a 5-0 loss away to Barcelona, a 5-1 defeat to Stuttgart, and a 6-1 defeat to Atalanta at home. So far, they’ve scored just two goals and conceded 22 in that time.
On paper, it should be a straightforward night at Celtic Park. However, given the Hoops’ poor record in Europe over the past decade, supporters will be hopeful of a win and an exciting performance, similar to the one against Slovan Bratislava and RB Leipzig earlier this season in the Champions League. With Bratislava just one place above and Leipzig two places ahead, it could be a night to remember for Celtic.
Despite facing the weakest team in the Champions League so far this season tomorrow night, Rodgers is not taking the Swiss champions’ poor European form for granted. With Young Boys on their third manager of the season, they currently sit 9th in the Swiss Super League, having drawn 0-0 at home against 12th-placed Winterthur on Saturday.
The Celtic boss told Celtsarehere: “You have to respect every team at this level. They’re a team that won the Swiss League last season, and obviously it hasn’t gone so well for them this season. They’re on their third manager now. But really the focus has to be very much on ourselves.”
It’s a great point from the Irishman, if Celtic play to their best, like they did against Leipzig and Bratislava, they will win. At times, the Hoops have reached unbelievable levels this season, and that’s exactly what will be required tomorrow night.
Teams never come to Celtic Park just to compete in Europe, and given Young Boys’ motivation to avoid finishing their European campaign without a point, Rodgers will have Celtic fully motivated from the outset.
