Rookie boss Brother Pedro has revealed that his pre-match rallying call was toned down by assistant Helder Baptista.
The former Santos Laguna boss has been working from 6am to 10pm over the last five days to get everything just right for Hampden but after the warm-up his number two warned him that the players weren’t ready for a rousing speech from the Portuguese genius.
Celtic enjoyed 75% possession in the first half, reduced from 80% due to a stretch when they were down to ten men, as the feel good factor from the Graeme Murty inspired 1-1 draw at Celtic Park fell through the floor.
Two months ago Brother Pedro was enjoying the good life in Qatar but that was no preparation for facing a squad inspired by Brendan Rodgers with the celebrations from the away dressing room last month still ringing in their ears.
Asked if his players understood his game plan, Caixinha told The Sun: “That’s something I need to speak to them about.
“It’s possible and if that’s what happened I have to admit my own mistakes. I’m a guy who is totally clear in those sort of situations.
“Helder, my assistant, came to me at the end of the warm-up and told me ‘Please, in your speech before the match, don’t be that strong. Don’t be so tough, They need to feel a little bit more freedom’.”
That admission is going to hang over Brother Pedro for as long as his smiling embrace of Brendan Rodgers at the final whistle is remembered.
With a host of angry RRM that were overlooked for the cherished number three job only to happy to offer their opinions in the media the honeymoon for the fifth best coach in Qatar will be spectacularly brief.
CLICK HERE for amazing Hampden gallery.