BRENDAN RODGERS hailed Celtic for restoring their European credibility with a heroic display in Munich.
Ex-Bayern winger Nicolas Kuhn looked set to take the Bundesliga giants into extra-time after a dynamic display by the Hoops.
Brendan Rodgers was left frustrated but upbeat after his side’s loss to Bayern Munich[/caption]
He was also irked by a late incident involving Daizen Maeda and Dayot Upamecano[/caption]
But sub Alphonso Davies pounced at point-blank range in the final seconds of stoppage time for a 3-2 aggregate win.
And Rodgers was left to lament the “cruel” exit and insist the Treble-chasers had restored the Hoops’ reputation.
He said: “Our European credibility has been restored this season – that’s my takeaway.
“We have shown real quality at times.
“Think of the last time we were in Germany and the improvements we have made.
“It was not what the players deserved, especially right at the very end.
“They gave so much and played with confidence.
“We knew we’d have to defend but we didn’t give away too much.
“We had quality, some great moves and the best chances.
“It was a really heroic performance and we were just unfortunate at the end.
“We had to have aggression and control in our game. We got into some great positions.
“We always felt we were going to be there in the game. It was such a cruel way, not just to lose the tie but to go out of the competition.
“I asked the players to play without any fear and they did that.
“I can only take immense pride from the performance.
“The guys gave everything.
“I am just so disappointed for them, given what they gave to the game, what they gave to the occasion.
“We nab e run a team that will see themselves as potential finalists, very, very close.
“I was speaking to Martin O’Neil and Neil Lennon and those are two guys who have extensive experience of European football at this club.
“And, with the greatest respect, they were waxing lyrical about the performance and result.
“We’ve made the progress that made me want to come back here.
“Now we’ve got to finish the season off strongly.
“We’ve got two titles to go for and then get to the Champions League next season.
“We will look to build the squad again.
“Unswerving, my plan is to make this a season club at this level where we can go and really hurt big opponents like Bayern Munich.”
Rodgers also believes Celts should have been awarded a free-kick before the last gasp goal when Daizen Maeda was whacked in the face by defender Dayot Upamecano.
He added: “I think that’s a little bit of our inexperience at this level.
“Upamecano is clever, he picks Daizen up.
“Because if he stays down it’s a knock on the head.
A close up of the clash between Upamecano and Maeda[/caption]
“I felt the referee should have given the free-kick anyway, or certainly have stopped the game.
“But maybe a more experienced player or team might have stayed down and then the referee has to stop the game.
“But he didn’t, they played on and then obviously they get the goal.
“So yes, we were disappointed that we obviously didn’t get that in the build-up.”
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