Brendan Rodgers urged to take Celtic 'noose off his neck' as Paul Lambert anxious to see final Euro hurdle cleared
Celtic have lost their first two games in the Champions League and need something from Atletico to breathe fire into their European hopes.
Paul Lambert reckons there is a European noose around Brendan Rodgers' neck - and wants to see him remove it by shocking Atletico Madrid.
Celtic welcome the La Liga high-flyers to Parkhead in need of a result after stinging defeats in their opening two games. They went down 2-0 against Feyenoord, losing two players to red cards in the process, before Lazio came from behind to beat them 2-1 at Parkhead. There was plenty of drama in that one too, Elseid Hysaj controversially not seeing red for a hand in Reo Hatate's face before Pedro's stoppage time header sunk Celtic stomachs.
It also extended Rodgers' unwanted record of having failed to win a home game in the Champions League group stages in either of his spells at Celtic...not the best omen with Atletico coming to town on Wednesday night as red hot favourites. And Lambert feels it's a 'noose' he must get off his neck soon to ease the niggling concerns among Parkhead fans.
He said on PLZ Soccer: "I watched the two games and in the Feyenoord game, Celtic were well in it. Feyenoord weren't one of the best teams, but Celtic played well, obviously they got two players sent off which hurt them a bit.
"Against Lazio, Celtic were miles better. It's just about getting that noose off your neck. People will say 'we've not won another game, and another game at home.'
"Celtic were the better team than Lazio. They played well, their goal was brilliant. I thought the Lazio player should have been sent off, it should have gone to VAR when he hits Hatate in the face. Why that wasn't reviewed, I don't know.
"The goal that wins it, maybe they just had more experience. But performance-wise there was no way Celtic deserved to lose the game."
"The fans know they have a good team but it's just being a bit streetwise, get that ability to see the game through or take a draw. If we can't win this, make sure we don't use it. But Brendan and the club in general are in a good place, it's not far away. Just go and get that result where we can say thankfully we've won at home."