BRENDAN Rodgers, the Celtic manager, last night conceded it will be “very difficult” for the Parkhead club to progress in Europe this season following their 2-0 defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Goals from Lars Stindl and Andre Hahn in the second half at Celtic Park ensured that Andre Schubert’s team won the Champions League group match comfortably to move off bottom spot in their section.
Rodgers praised the performance of his team, who were undone by two uncharacteristic errors from the normally reliable Kolo Toure, but confessed that they could struggle to progress to the knockout rounds of either the Champions League or Europa League.
Read more: Kolo Toure - I'm to blame for the schoolboy defending which gave Borussia the win
The top two teams in Group C, currently Barcelona and Manchester City, go through to the last 16 of the Champions League while the third-placed team, which is now Moenchengladbach, go into the last 32 of the Europa League.
“It will be very difficult,” said Rodgers. “It was earmarked that games away from home were always going to be tough at this level and home games were going to be important for us.
“It wasn’t to be tonight. We will have to do our best in every game now. Our next game is over there and obviously it will be tough again. We have to do the very best we possibly can.”
He added: “I think the best team won. I don’t think there is any argument about that. My players gave absolutely everything tonight. But they were up against a top side.
“My only disappointment would be the two goals. They didn’t create so much even though they looked dangerous on the counter attack as a lot of German sides do. We gifted them two goals really.
“But I thought the players put absolutely everything into the game. We set out to press them, but with that level of player that if you are not quite there when you press they can play through you and around you.
“We had some good spells in the game, but we were beaten by a side that is technically very good, fast, has good power and quality. I have no complaints.”
Read more: Kolo Toure - I'm to blame for the schoolboy defending which gave Borussia the win
Meanwhile, Rodgers backed Toure to recover from the disappointment of giving away both goals in time for the Betfred Cup semi-final with Rangers at Hampden on Sunday.
“There will be no-one more disappointed tonight than Kolo,” said Rodgers. “He is experienced enough to know he should deal with the first one. The second one was unfortunate. The guy has got away and finished it brilliantly with a toe-poke finish.
“Again, it is why he has been in the game for so long – because he hurts and is an honest player. Tonight will hurt Kolo, but he is also a warrior as well.
“He is a guy who is very, very mentally tough and he will recover. Tonight, he will hurt, as will the team, as will we all. But we go again tomorrow and give everything for the weekend.”
Rodgers suggested that Celtic would have to invest heavily in their squad if they hoped to make it through to the knockout rounds of the Champions League – a feat they have achieved three times in their history – in the future.
“The players will learn from this,” he said. “But sometimes no matter how good they might be there are still elements that we need to be able to compete consistently at this level.
“We are in a process of building something here. We have done brilliantly to qualify for this level and have given absolutely everything. But sometimes, as you can see, teams are better than us.
“No disrespect to our players, they gave everything. But this is a good side, they have a World Cup winner there in midfield and a number of very good players. So, yes, you have to hold your hands up and be honest and say we lost to the better team.
Read more: Kolo Toure - I'm to blame for the schoolboy defending which gave Borussia the win
“There are certain attributes you need and of course that does cost you money. That will be up to the club and our recruitment to look and try and find these players.
“We know that availability and affordability figures, but it is something that will happen over a period of time and it is something we will look to do over the coming years.”
The Germans are currently sitting in ninth place in the Bundesliga due to a lengthy injury list and had lost to both Manchester City away and Barcelona at home in the Champions League group stages going into this game.
Coach Andre Schubert was without his first choice strikers Thorgan Hazard and Raffael, forward Josip Drmic, winger Fabian Johnson and defender Andreas Christensen.
However, his side was comfortably the better of the two teams last night and he was delighted they picked up their first points of their campaign and moved off bottom spot in Group C.
“I am extremely happy to win,” he said. “It gives us more security. We still have to prove our quality at home. But we have made our first step and gained our first three points.
“I have a good squad. Despite missing some important players, we played well. It was a good performance, a mature performance. The team played well and with strength and had to concentrate 100 per cent.”
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