Celtic news: Brendan Rodgers slams players after Paris Saint-Germain humiliation
CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers has slammed his Celtic players after their 5-0 thumping by Paris Saint-Germain, claiming they played like Under-12s at times.
Brendan Rodgers says Celtic played like Under-12s against Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain had the game wrapped up in the first half of their Champions League Group B opener as Neymar broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, Kylian Mbappe added a second in the 34th minute and Edinson Cavani netted with a penalty before the break.
Celtic performed better in the second half but in the latter stages Mikael Lustig put the ball into his own net before Cavani grabbed his second with a header to hand the home side their record Parkhead defeat in Europe.
Rodgers said: "This is a level where you have to look after the ball and you have to make it work for you.
"In the first half we didn't do that, we were playing like under-12s at times. So like I say, it is confidence, belief.
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Edinson Cavani, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe ran riot against Celtic
“We are missing some decisive players as well who can help us at this level but it is always going to be very tough. That is the reality of it.
"I don't want to be too harsh on the players. They (PSG) are the potential champions of this tournament and where we are at, with all due respect, and where those guys are at, it is not just one or two levels, it is three or four levels away beyond.
"We always have to be competitive and we weren't for that first period but the second half was much better and the supporters acknowledged that."
Meanwhile, PSG boss Unai Emery was pleased by his side's start to the competition.
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He said: "I am really happy with the victory.
"The most difficult thing here is to cope with the rhythm they play at, the intensity and of course with the support they have behind them.
"My team showed a lot of character and a very controlled approach to the game which I am very pleased at.
"We are pleased that we were in control with the ball and without the ball. I would like to stress that it was a team effort. So it is a mixture of happiness and calmness.
"We are really confident that we can continue on the journey we have set out on, it was good for confidence, it is a good step forward."