Update: Simon Jordan sends ‘he isn’t stupid’ Brendan Rodgers claim amid ‘spikey’ Celtic attitude…

Simon Jordan speaks about Brendan Rodgers and Celtic ‘narrative’ in the UCL

It has been some journey for Celtic in the Champions League this season.

Brendan Rodgers got things off with a bang against Slovan Bratislava and then Celtic conceded seven to Borussia Dortmund on matchday two to send morale well and truly crashing down.

This revamped Champions League format was supposed to favour the champions of Scotland, but at that moment, there was the opposite feeling.

As everyone can understand, all the usual stuff was being thrown at Rodgers and many felt that Celtic simply weren’t going to learn or take that next step in Europe.

But all of that negative noise of the past has now fallen flat on its face, especially with the Bhoys securing back-to-back away clean sheets in Europe.

The fact that Celtic were disappointed with their 0-0 draw against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night proves how far everyone has come and Simon Jordan wanted to give the man in the dugout his flowers.

Simon Jordan praises Brendan Rodgers’ for changing Celtic’s style in the Champions League

Looking back on it now and that goalless draw against Atalanta looks even better now.

Not only are they the Europa League champions, but they are also sitting top of Serie A right now and that performance, plus the clean sheet, helped kick start the team’s mindset in Europe.

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Ex-Crystal Palace boss Jordan thinks Celtic will now secure a play-off spot in the Champions League and the change of approach on the road, as he told talkSPORT (11/12/24 at 10:40 am).

“I don’t think they will get that,” responded Jordan on a possible top-eight finish for Celtic. “I think they will get into the play-offs. I think Brendan is absolutely right. When they play six games in the Champions League format of old, they would have bitten your arm off your shoulders for nine points. Previously, they have got virtually nothing out of these draws. I think some of the results they have got, besides the Dortmund hiding, they have done well.

“People were questioning Brendan Rodgers about his tactics and how he wouldn’t change the way that they played, and they did. They went away (against Atalanta), did well and got a draw. Then, against Dinamo Zagreb, I thought it was a decent result –

“We have to also give some context in some of the teams they have played in the past. The fact that they have gone away from home now in this tournament and they have gotten very credible points. I think is just as telling as where they are improving and this format has improved them ideally. Extra dough for them. If they can get through the knockout stages, then fantastic for Celtic, with all due respect. I know the size of the club. I know the scale of the club, in terms of support. But the economics of it are, when you get out of this stage, then you are now on a stage with Bayern.”

Leicester City Manager Brendan Rodgers and Aston Villa Manager Unai Emery ahead of the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City …

Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images

Rodgers ‘narrative’ at Celtic ahead of Aston Villa game

Celtic host Young Boys in the Champions League after the New Year and you sense three points here will confirm that play-off finish.

The Swiss champions are bottom of the table. No points and the worst defensive record. You don’t want to drop points here because it’s a trip to Aston Villa for the final match.

When discussing the ‘narrative’ around Rodgers and how he ‘isn’t stupid’, Jordan highlighted how Aston Villa, who are currently in the top-eight, might not need anything from the last game and that could suit Celtic, as he added on talkSPORT.

“The narrative was that they got ahead of themselves and Brendan was getting ahead of himself with what he had and then they had their backsides handed to them (by Dortmund),” explained Jordan.

“But Brendan’s attitude was spikey and defiant. It kind of put people off balance. ‘He’s not going to change’ and he did because he isn’t stupid. Of course, he was going to go to Atalanta and take the opposition very seriously. Play the right kind of game and he did.

“When it comes to the Villa game, who knows what’s on that game? If Villa are up, up and away. Already qualified in the top eight, then it might be a Villa side that’s not as motivated and not as resplendent with all the best players. You don’t know what’s on offer here.”