Rodgers’ vow for trip to Kazakhstan

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has said he is looking forward to travelling to Kazakhstan to face Astana in the next Champions League qualification round.

Rodgers side beat Lincoln Red Imps 3-0 last night, which resulted in a 3-1 aggregate win. Celtic had lost 1-0 to the team from Gibraltar in the first leg, against all online sportsbook odds, but managed to overturn them last night to progress through to the next round.

The former Liverpool manager made it clear from his first day at Celtic that his main aim was to bring Champions League football back to Celtic Park, with their clash against Astana the next step on their road to Champions League group stage qualification.

However, it won’t be easy. Celtic now face a 6000 mile round trip to play on an artificial surface at the Astana Arena. Rodgers knows it will be difficult for his side, and has joked about the conditions of the match.

Speaking to the Scotsman, Rodgers said:

We will look forward to the trip. It will be difficult but we will be ready. Apart from the six-hour flight, five hour time difference, 35 degree heat and plastic pitch with no water, it should be alright!

It is what is thrown at us. We will fly out on Monday if the game is on the Wednesday. They will be trying conditions but we have to find a way to get a performance and a result.

Defender Mikael Lustig scored the opening goal of the game as the home side had to wait 23 minutes before opening the scoring in front of a lively crowd at Paradise.

Patrick Roberts was instrumental for the Hoops as he scored the third goal in the game and also provided the assist to Leigh Griffiths for his first goal of the campaign on a night Celtic cold have got double figures.

Speaking after his side’s win last night, he added:

I’m pleased to qualify, that was the objective coming into tonight. I was very pleased with the first 30 minutes when we got our three goals. The 
intensity was outstanding in the team, our pressing and forcing mistakes and then scoring goals.

It certainly wasn’t perfect, we have a way to go before we are where I want us to be. But I’m delighted with the attitude of the players and how they took the game right from kick-off. We scored three and their goalkeeper probably stopped it being double figures. We are through and that’s the most important thing.

Celtic will now face Astana in the next round and will travel to Kazakstan next week for their first leg tie on Wednesday, 27 July with kick-off at 8pm local time (3pm UK time).