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Celtic: Brendan Rodgers will not change approach to Champions League despite defeat in Dortmund
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Celtic: Brendan Rodgers will not change approach to Champions League despite defeat in Dortmund

As the Westfalenstadion clock ticked towards minute 82 and the scoreboard read 7-1, every Celtic player was in Dortmund’s half when the ball turned over.

It resulted in the ruthless home team racing clear again with ease, but only Schmeichel’s boot prevented an eighth-place finish.

Such actions fuel criticism of the naivety that awaits Rodgers.

The Celtic manager’s two spells have included a 7-0 defeat at Barcelona, ​​5-0 at home to Paris St-Germain, plus another 7-1 away in France and six goals at Atletico Madrid last season .

The Celtic boss is the only coach to have seen his side concede seven goals in a Champions League match more than once. Tuesday was the third time.

And with a visit to last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta on the cards, the Scottish champions risk finding themselves in trouble again against another high-octane side who thrive on their man-to-man -approach.

“Atalanta will be a completely different test,” former Scotland striker James McFadden said on Sportsound.

“They are so aggressive in their press, they will be ruthless. Celtic will have to be so much better.”

Ex-Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner added: “If you look at the way Celtic play in the league, they will try to win the ball high up the pitch. That mentality is in the players. Tonight it proved they don’t be able to.” against top teams.

“These teams can take four or five players out of the game with two or three passes, and then four come after you.

“You have to come up with a different plan or structure to stay in the game.”