Brendan Rodgers hails Celtic’s character

Brendan Rodgers has hailed the character of his Celtic side following Wednesday’s thrilling 5-2 Champions League win over Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

The Bhoys looked to be cruising in the first leg of their play-off tie after a brace from Leigh Griffiths and an early strike from Tom Rogic saw them go in 3-0 up at the break.

However, the Israeli outfit hit back before the hour mark, with goals from Maranhao and Maor Melikson, to put the Parkhead crowd on edge.

Celtic soon rallied, though, as Moussa Dembele and captain Scott Brown both found the net to restore their side’s 3-0 advantage ahead of next week’s return leg at Turner Stadium.

The Scottish champions will now switch their attention back to domestic matters, with a trip to St Johnstone on Saturday.

The Bhoys are 1.67 to win at McDiarmid Park, with the draw 4.00 and the Saints 5.50.

Rodgers admits his side still have a long way to go until they can be satisfied with themselves but says the character they showed on Wednesday indicates these are exciting times in the East End of Glasgow.

“It is a brilliant result for us. You would obviously prefer 3-0 but 5-2 really shows the level that the team played at in a European game where there is everything riding on it,” he said.

“At 3-2, to then go and win the game 5-2, really shows that mental strength of the players as well as the quality.

“They are nowhere near the finished article yet but they look a really exciting team which is full of character.”