Alan McInally shares what Brendan Rodgers told him in private about Celtic’s performance vs Aston Villa

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Celtic battled bravely in their Champions League defeat to Aston Villa.

After going 2-0 down in the first five minutes, Celtic fired back against Aston Villa to go in at halftime at 2-2 in a performance that had Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers praising his players at full time.

Rodgers went public as he sang the praises of his Celtic team and despite losing the game, the Bhoys’ battling display earned them credit as England’s media lauded Celtic’s performance.

However, how did Rodgers feel privately about the Champions League defeat? Former Celtic hero Alan McInally shares what the Northern Irishman told him.

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Alan McInally spoke to Rodgers ‘briefly’ after Celtic’s defeat at Villa Park

McInally played for both Celtic and Aston Villa during his career and, rather ironically, Bayern Munich and at full time, he shared what the Hoops boss really thought about his team’s performance against the Premier League club.

McInally told No Tippy Tappy Football [33m 50s], “I spoke to Brendan very briefly after the game and he said, ‘I thought we showed a bit of character, Alan’ and I think he was right.

“Because at 2-0 down they could have chucked it. To get back to 2-2 and the game’s in the balance then.

“And obviously, they had a few players out, the boy Maeda wasn’t available.”

Celtic showed character and more. Rodgers has clearly got this team ready and fired up for Champions League football and it’s great to see good performances and results on the pitch.

What has been said about Celtic in the Champions League

Micah Richards says Celtic are ‘a good team’ after he heard people trying to downplay Morgan Rogers’ hattrick in the Villa Park.

Alan Shearer reckons Bayern Munich will find it ‘tough’ at Celtic Park because of the atmosphere the Parkhead fans generate.

Even Gary Lineker sent Leicester City fans a warning about Celtic boss Rodgers and said the EPL club must be kicking themselves for sacking a ‘top-class manager’.

Celtic have restored their European reputation amongst some of the biggest clubs on the continent and the fans will be hoping that they do that reputation justice when Bayern Munich come calling next week.