Brendan Rodgers credits Celtic's mentality ahead of RB Leipzig clash - 'Every game at this level is a final'

React to this story

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says the mentality of his squad will prepare them for their UEFA Champions League tie against RB Leipzig on Tuesday night. Rodgers considers the Bundesliga outfit "one of the top teams in European Football" despite losses to Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Juventus so far in the competition and stated that "every game at this level is a final" for Celtic.

‘Every game at this level is a final’ - Rodgers relishing Celtic's clash with RB Leipzig

Video credit: TNT Sports

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers says the mentality of his squad has allowed them to learn from previous UEFA Champions League heartache as they prepare to welcome RB Leipzig to Celtic Park on Tuesday night, with the game live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The Hoops have four points from their opening three games of the competition after defeating Slovan Bratislava 5-1 in their first match and earning a gutsy 0-0 draw away to Atalanta in October.

Rodgers' side were on the receiving end of a 7-1 thrashing by Leipzig's Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund on matchday two, but the Northern Irishman believes the mentality of his squad has allowed them to learn from that experience.

Champions League

Tchouameni defends Alonso, says squad 'have to do a better job'

09/12/2025 at 15:18

Speaking exclusively to TNT Sports, Rodgers said the "humility" of his team allowed them to reflect and respond to the Dortmund thumping.

"I knew that they [Atalanta] were a top team before we played them and I knew we had to be really good from a defensive side to get something from the game," Rodgers said. "It’s a massive testament to our players that they’ve gone there off the back of a really bruising result. That tells me everything I already know about this team but that was evidence that the mindset of this team is really strong.

"We went that weekend [after Dortmund] to a tough game at Ross County and we win, we then have more games we have to play well in and find our form again – that all comes from the disappointment of Dortmund but also having that humility and will to want to learn and to improve.

Highlights: Celtic claim valuable Atalanta draw

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Having that as a baseline for your mentality allows you to grow and the performance in Bergamo needed all of that."

Having learned from the defeat in Dortmund, Rodgers believes his side now have the confidence to pull off a Champions League upset against Leipzig in Glasgow.

Celtic have not progressed to the knockout stage of Europe's premier club competition since the 2012/13 season, but a win against Leipzig would put the Scottish champions in an excellent position to push for qualification.

Rodgers pleased with ‘really good start’ in Europe but wary of winless RB Leipzig

Video credit: TNT Sports

Rodgers is not focusing on that, instead stating that every game they play in the Champions League is like a final.

"This is one of the top teams in European football," Rodgers said. "They play in a superior league to ourselves, right at that very top level with a great defensive record, so we know we’re playing a team on that level to Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund.

"That’s why we’re in this competition, to take on these challenges. For us, every game at this level is a final.

"We know it will be hard and that we’ll have to work equally as tough as what we did at Atalanta, but we have our supporters with us and they’ll give us that extra energy in the game."

‘Mindset of this team is really strong’ – Rodgers praises character of Celtic squad

Video credit: TNT Sports

Johnston - Celtic in a 'really good spot'

Celtic full-back Alistair Johnston believes his team-mates are in a "really good spot mentally and physically" as they continue their quest to qualify for the knockout rounds.

The Canada international told TNT Sports that he and his team-mates want to take a further step in Europe while remaining dominant in domestic football.

"We’re in our second year under Brendan and I think you can see that growth and evolution of the team," Johnston said.

"We still won two trophies last year but going into this season we wanted to take a further step in Europe based on where we were last year and, of course, domestically we want to be dominant and that’s something we’re striving for on both fronts.

‘Why we’re in this competition’ – Rodgers not shying away as next European test awaits Celtic

Video credit: TNT Sports

"The Dortmund match was a really difficult one but we’ve bounced back, we’ve learned from it and got a great point away at Atalanta which is a really difficult place to go.

"We’re in a really good spot mentally and physically as a squad and we’re excited to get into this really crazy festive period coming up."

Celtic will face the Champions League anthem at Celtic Park for the second time this season and first time since September, a feeling Johnston described as "unbelievable".

He said: "Celtic Park on a Champions League night – there really is nothing quite like it. It’s exactly what it was like when I was growing up and watching it on TV, when that anthem plays… I’m not even sure if the noise that’s made is even humane. It’s guttural, it’s unbelievable, the wall of noise that 60,000 humans are able to create.

"It’s impossible not to have the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and get shivers down your spine. If you can’t be ready for a football match after that, then I don’t know what to tell you. You’re not in the right profession.

‘Every footballer’s dream’ – Johnston on ‘whirlwind’ of playing in UEFA Champions League

Video credit: TNT Sports

"There’s huge ambition within this group and there’s huge ambition with our crowd – we know that, we feel that, so it has the potential to be a great evening for us to go out there, play our football and pick up a result."

TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024/25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

Champions League

Rangers to face Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifying

18/06/2025 at 14:11

Champions League

'I am not bitter' - Mbappe 'happy' PSG ended Champions League wait

07/06/2025 at 14:16

Related Matches

Celtic

RB Leipzig