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Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 21, 2019 at 5.55pm UK
 
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Celtic still have a chance to progress - Brendan Rodgers

:Headline: Celtic still have a chance to progress - Brendan Rodgers: ID:350948: from db_amp
The Hoops are 2-0 down from the first leg of their clash with Valencia.

Celtic's Europa League journey is not over yet, according to boss Brendan Rodgers.

The Hoops are in Spain for the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie against Valencia on Thursday night with a 2-0 defeat to overturn from the first game in Glasgow.

The Scottish champions have not won in Spain in 15 attempts and are odds-on to exit the tournament, but Rodgers remains optimistic.

Speaking at the Mestalla Stadium, the Northern Irishman said: "It was disappointing last week but we can come back again tomorrow night and that is something that is very much within our culture.

"We know it is a challenge but if I look at the game and ask myself do we have a chance? Of course we do.

"And when the answer is yes we have to put every energy and effort into taking that chance, even though it will be difficult.

"That's been the make-up of this group since I came. It's a game that we look forward to.

"We obviously have to work our way into the game. If we think back to our home leg, we started very well and lost our way a little bit.

"We conceded just before and after half-time which broke our rhythm in the game and made it difficult against a good side.

"It will be important to be defensively compact, tight and concentrated. And then when we have the ball we look to create opportunities.

"The first goal will be very important, but it's about not giving anything away. We are playing a good team.

"Our focus is on bringing our game. We need to be strong and aggressive, we can't make mistakes. We made two mistakes and found ourselves two down.

"If we can get that first goal that will give the team that extra confidence to go and get another."

Celtic bounced back from the defeat in Spain with a last-gasp 1-0 Ladbrokes Premiership win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday to take them eight points clear at the top of the table, which offers Rodgers added encouragement.

The former Liverpool boss said: "After a disappointing performance we've always tried to analyse it openly and honestly.

"We had to be concentrated on Sunday to get a result and we eventually did that.

"The result and how we performed in Sunday's game will give us confidence, but this is a different game and different level.

"What we need to ensure is that in the moments of pressure we can stay strong and stay compact. It's a challenge for us, but I'm really looking forward to it."

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718
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