Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers wants his side to adopt a ‘calm’ approach during the second leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie with Astana on Wednesday.
The Hoops will head into the match with a slight advantage after Leigh Griffiths scored an away goal in the 1-1 draw between the two sides in Kazakhstan last week.
A clean sheet would be enough to secure the Bhoys a passage into the final qualifying round, as the Scottish Premiership champions bid to reach the group stage of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since 2013.
Rodgers, who succeeded Ronny Deila as Celtic manager this summer, understands the magnitude of Wednesday’s match, but he believes a clam approach will be needed if they are to progress.
He said: “To qualify into the Champions League is a goal that we set at the start of the season but you have to stay calm. “We have to stay calm.
There will be a lot of hysteria around but as manager and coaches and players you have to have that calmness to allow you to fulfil the abilities that you have.”
The 43-year-old is confident his side have the ability to secure a positive result against Astana, and insists they have left no stone unturned during their preparations for the second leg.
“We have put in a lot of work and what gives us the confidence is that we are working relentlessly with the team, analysing the opponents,” he added.
“That hard work gives us confidence that the players can be prepared as best they possibly could so that is how we are approaching it. We understand the magnitude of it.”
Celtic are available at 1.60 to secure a victory on Wednesday, while Astana are priced at 5.25 and the draw is on offer at 3.80.
Leave a comment
Link Dafabet