Two months ago 13,000 fans turned up at Celtic Park to welcome Brendan Rodgers, last night 60,000 thanked him for taking the hoops to the brink of the Champions League group phase.
Every emotion possible was touched on as Celtic earned an incredible 5-2 victory to put them in the driving seat for the return leg.
After squandering a 3-0 lead the hoops battled back to take a three goal advantage to Israel and leave the fans dreaming of a return to the big time.
Rodgers has quickly grasped the scale of the job he has at Celtic and is revelling under the pressure and demands of managing in Glasgow.
Last night he said: “Over the course of the game, in the first-half we were excellent. We pressed them really well, really aggressively. We created opportunities, scored three and could have had more.
“We started the second-half well and I was pleased but then we had a spell where we defended poorly for about 10-12 minutes and conceded two poor goals.
“We didn’t reduce the space, and there was a little bit of inexperience for the first goal, where we were crossing over the defensive line and created a gap ourselves in order for them to score.
“Then it goes to 3-2 quickly again, and then there a question is asked of you. We were talking about it before the game and I mentioned it in the press the other day.
“At this level, and at any level, there are going to be periods where you come under pressure and it’s about having those checkpoints in place to stay calm, get control again and look to shift the momentum.
“From 3-2 and then to go on and win 5-2 really shows the mental strength of the players, along with their quality. They are nowhere near the finished article in terms of where I want them to be but they look a really exciting team full of character.”
CLICK HERE for Lineker and Hartson pals again after pies fall out
CLICK HERE for amazing GALLERY from Celtic’s 5-2 win
CLICK HERE for Griffiths feared another Malmor.
