Celtic FC’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, is focused on his team’s upcoming Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava and is not swayed by external opinions about the game. As Celtic prepares to host Slovan Bratislava, the reigning Scottish Premiership champions are eager to start their European campaign on a high note, aiming to secure three points in front of a passionate home crowd.
Slovan Bratislava, despite never having participated in the Champions League group stage before, comes into the match with confidence. They currently lead the Slovak Super Liga and have successfully navigated a challenging qualification route, defeating teams such as Struga, Celje, APOEL, and FC Midtjylland to reach this point. Their coach, Vladimir Weiss, believes they are capable of causing an upset on the opening day of the group stage.
In a pre-match interview, Rodgers made it clear that he is not influenced by the notion that Celtic is the favorite in this fixture. He emphasized the importance of respecting all opponents, regardless of the narratives that might surround the game. Rodgers highlighted that Slovan Bratislava has demonstrated significant determination and resilience to reach this stage, making them a formidable opponent.
Rodgers acknowledged the enthusiasm and good form of his team but stressed the necessity of maintaining a high level of respect and effort. He pointed out that while some teams might be viewed as having more illustrious histories, Celtic must remain focused and treat every opponent with the seriousness they deserve. The goal is to channel their positive momentum into a strong performance and secure a win.
For Celtic, starting the Champions League group stage with a victory is crucial. Analysts suggest that Celtic has a 57.2% chance of advancing to the knockout stages based on their current form and potential points. With challenging fixtures against Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, and RB Leipzig ahead, the ability to start with three points is vital. Rodgers’ focus and preparation reflect his commitment to not leaving anything to chance and ensuring that Celtic represents Scottish football proudly on the European stage.