After taking the reigns from the unpopular figure of Ronny Deila months prior, Brendan Rodgers’ first competitive game in charge of Celtic ended in embarrassment as a first leg Champions League qualifier away trip to part timers Lincoln Red Imps ended in a 1-0 defeat.
Whilst the former Liverpool boss remained defiant in defeat, claiming their was “no embarrassment” in losing to a winning goal via the local policeman, social media had an absolute field day with the shock result, reveling in the Northern Irishman’s dismay.
FT: Lincoln Red Imps 1-0 Celtic
Tricky first few steps into Europe for Brendan Rogers…#ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/yQV0UCJp2g
— BetBright (@BetBright) July 12, 2016
Brendan Rodgers career at Celtic. pic.twitter.com/zSxUFft3ni
— *L*F*C* (@_seLFControl_) July 12, 2016
Brendan Rodgers lost his first game as Celtic manager to a semi pro side from Gibraltar,a policeman scored the goal. https://t.co/HhZZXQf6Uk
— The Away Fans (@theawayfans) July 12, 2016
Brendan Rodgers’ first game at Celtic
Some are calling it the worst result in their historyhttps://t.co/powi42KhLu pic.twitter.com/Uq8YX4hVfu— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 12, 2016
“A totally embarrassing night.” @JohnHartson10 sums up Brendan Rodgers first result as @celticfc boss. https://t.co/kVPARmsuMa
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) July 12, 2016
Brendan Rodgers has lost his first game as Celtic boss 1-0 against Lincoln Red Imps Gibraltar. Here is their team. pic.twitter.com/th6dO13WMv
— Purely Football (@PurelyFootball) July 12, 2016
Anyone know how Brendan Rodgers did in his first game in charge at Celtic?
— Andy Goldstein MBE (@andygoldstein05) July 12, 2016
Brendan Rodgers’ first competitive game at Celtic: A 1-0 defeat to a semi-professional club in Gibraltar. ? pic.twitter.com/nGVZfO1hyi
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) July 12, 2016
Lincoln Red Imps, Gibraltar, are winning 1-0 against Brendan Rodgers Celtic side in a Champions League qualifier… pic.twitter.com/eddZKlbG26
— From The Stands (@FromTStands) July 12, 2016
After the match Rodgers gave the following comments when questioned whether their were many red faces in the dressing room post match,:
“No. There is obvious disappointment. There is no embarrassment. It was a tough game in tough conditions. We didn’t take our chances, they took their chance.
“We dominated and created enough chances to score. Sometimes it can happen, obviously with the pitch, an awkward bounce and all of a sudden the player is in, it’s into the floor and goes in.
“We have seen enough to see that we can get through in the second leg. Of course you are disappointed to lose. It was difficult, of course. They set up 5-4-1. And it doesn’t matter the team, the level. Teams have good organisation, 11 players behind the ball. Throw the pitch into that, it’s very, very tough for the players. But we created enough chances, their keeper made fantastic saves. It gives us a bit of work to do in the second leg.”
Whilst Scotland’s premier side still have a second leg to claim back some pride, the result surely ranks among the worst for any British side, what Rodger’s does with the remainder of the season now is surely any one’s guess.