BBC Sport Scotland totally misquotes the Celtic manager. He never told his players not “to worry about failing” to qualify in Almaty this evening

So, if you were to read Brian McLauchlin’s report on a quote from yesterday evening’s press conference in Almaty, you would be led to believe the Celtic boss has told his players not to worry about qualifying for the Champions League this evening.

McLauchlin used his headline to make it look that way.

But Brendan Rodgers never said any such thing.

What he actually said was this:

I don’t need to explain it, don’t worry about failing, worry about performance. If you think so much of the consequence, it can paralyse you.

In other words, focus on your performance and everything will work out fine.

Don’t even think about failing.

Yet McLauchlin took only four words from the quote to make this headline for his article:

‘Don’t worry about failing’ – Rodgers’ Celtic Champions League message

Now, when you read this, it makes you think immediately that Brendan Rodgers is saying failing to qualify is acceptable.

That in a way, he’s admitting we’re weak, so its alright not to qualify.

Like he’s saying we’re not good enough.

That is immediately what I thought when I saw the headline.

Now, we all understand that the position Celtic is in going into today’s crucial tie is not “good enough“.

But that is a situation created by our board, not by the manager.

Brendan Rodgers sees no weakness in his ability to coach this team into the Champions League proper.

And he certainly isn’t encouraging the players to not worry about failing.

He believes were good enough to go through.

I’m sure the players in their own minds also believe it.

But this is how BBC Scotland, the go-to retirement home for ex-Ibrox players operates when it comes to Celtic.

They will always attempt to put a negative spin on things, even when there clearly isn’t one there.

Obviously, the BBC would love it if we didn’t qualify.

There is no doubting this has been made into a much more difficult task than it should be.

But I personally believe that we can pull it off this evening.

It might be tight, but the reality is that we are the better side here.

We have superior players in our ranks in comparison to Kairat Almaty.

We spoke about it last night on the podcast, and the general consensus was that we will get through, but that it won’t be easy.

We based that on the fact that Kairat set up to frustrate us at Celtic Park, but they cannot do that in Almaty.

If they want to qualify, they have to get goals.

And in order to get goals, they have to come at us, which will play right into our hands and allow us, hopefully, to catch them on the break.

Failing to qualify and not worrying about it doesn’t really come into it.

Brendan Rodgers certainly won’t be saying that to his players.

What I’d imagine he will be saying is, “We’re good enough to beat these guys, so go out there and show them who we are and what we’re made of.”

We will see a much more open game tonight, that’s for sure.

I expect us to sneak it in the end, and I’ll stick to my prediction on last night’s podcast.

It’ll be a 2-1 win.

Much to the disappointment of Brian McLauchlin, I’m sure.

YouTube: Renewal Is Coming

Blockbuster Podcast last night, with a special guest, Bhoycie from the Bhoycie bus. Loads of laughs, controversy, and serious discussion…