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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers: What I think about our shock loss to part-time Gibraltar team
CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers defended his Champions League flops and claimed that it was “no embarrassment” losing to Lincoln Red Imps – a side ranked 451st in Europe.
Lee Casciaro, a policeman, scored the winning goal for the semi-professional side
Rodgers has no doubts his side will gain revenge over the Gibraltar minnows at Parkhead by overturning the one-goal deficit next Wednesday.
The manager’s first competitive match was wrecked by Lee Casciaro’s second-half strike as the part-timers, who included policemen, firemen and taxi drivers, claimed the biggest result in their history in last night’s first-leg qualifier.
Rodgers said: “There is obvious disappointment but there is no embarrassment.
“It was a tough game in tough conditions. We didn’t take our chances, they took their chance.
Lincoln captain Roy Chipolina admitted it was a footballing fairytale.
He said: “I didn’t think that miracles happened but that’s what this is. Hopefully there is another in Glasgow.
“I said it would be the biggest shock ever and I stand by that.
“We were playing amateur football three years ago. You have no idea what this means.
“For this group of boys to go and beat Celtic – wow, I’m speechless.”