MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 21:39:02| >> :600:90907:90907:
[monks data]
Celtic logo
Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 14, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Valencia logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Cheryshev (42'), Sobrino (49')

Brendan Rodgers confident Celtic 'level' is as good as it can be ahead of Valencia clash

Brendan Rodgers confident Celtic 'level' is as good as it can be ahead of Valencia clash
© Reuters
The Hoops have won seven out of seven in 2019.

Boss Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic are at the "best level they could be" going into the first-leg of the Europa League last-32 against Valencia at Parkhead on Thursday night.

The Hoops are six points clear of Old Firm rivals Rangers at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership and have won all seven games since the turn of the year, scoring 21 goals and conceding none.

Indeed, the Scottish champions have not lost a goal at home since a 2-1  win over Salzburg at Parkhead on December 13, all of which is encouraging the Northern Irishman.

He said: "We are at the best level we could be at in terms of the start we have made to the second part (of the season) and also to the level of our game.

"The intensity is at a really high level and irrespective of our opponents that is what we always try to achieve in the game, in terms of pressing the game and playing at a really high tempo and have that throughout the 90 minutes.

"So I don't think the players could be in any better form coming into it.

"Yes, we have players missing through injury but  we have had throughout the season and we just get on with it, do our work, do our preparation and we prepare to win every game."

Valencia are in eighth place  in La Liga at the moment, 20 points behind leaders Barcelona.

Boss Marceloni has been quoted as saying his squad is "tired" but Rodgers will not read too much into that claim.

The former Liverpool boss said: "Of course at this stage of the season you have been playing a lot of games. They will have that fatigue element at times.

"Look at the volume of games we have played and the intensity so you can have that fatigue but very quickly you get over that.

"When they walk into the stadium tomorrow night and they feel that atmosphere I am sure they will be as ready as us..

"But I  understand where he is coming from because there is so much in the modern game in terms of what you are putting in, the recovery periods and then you are straight into another game.

"But they are an outstanding team and a team that will probably see themselves as one that can go far in the competition.

"They are not used to losing, they have only lost four (league) games this season so the mentality is to win.

"They have drawn some games but they are a very good side, packed with technical players, with good physicality but that's what you expect at this level."

While acknowledging the importance of a clean sheet, Rodgers insists his side should not be afraid if they concede to the Spanish side.

He said: "We will try to win the game but if we can keep a clean sheet of course that always helps.

"Yes, we want to make sure you are compact and defend well  but if you concede a goal it doesn't mean that you can't win away from home, of course it makes it more difficult.

"We can't be frightened if we conceded a goal because there is many ways you can concede.

"But the idea is to be really aggressive defensively, strong and compact as a team and obviously look to be  as creative and attacking as we can."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Ronnie Esplin, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'a58ada1e-2f27-485d-b6d2-fb696597e24a');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Brendan Rodgers confident Celtic \u2018level\u2019 is as good as it can be ahead of Valencia clash'});

ID:350243: cacheID:350243:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5861:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers pictured on December 29, 2018
Read Next:
Patience is key as Celtic take on Valencia - Brendan Rodgers
>
Read more about Brendan Rodgers Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
FT
Lions
24-6
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
FT
Buccaneers
30-7
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!