“He came into the Dressing room, and…” – Falkirk captain REVEALS what Brendan Rodgers DID to his team after League Cup defeat at Celtic Park, that many people didn’t know about, and wasn’t captured.

Falkirk captain Coll Donaldson has shared Brendan Rodgers’ post-match comments following Falkirk’s 5-2 League Cup defeat to Celtic at Celtic Park on Sunday. Despite Falkirk’s strong showing, particularly in the first half, Celtic ultimately proved too strong for the Championship club. Falkirk had taken a surprising 2-1 lead at halftime, but Rodgers’ side mounted an impressive second-half comeback to secure the win.

Rodgers had made eight changes to the Celtic lineup following their midweek Champions League match, which may have contributed to the team’s sluggish start. The changes appeared to disrupt Celtic’s rhythm, allowing Falkirk to take the lead twice in the first half. However, Celtic’s class eventually showed, as they responded with a dominant 20-minute spell in the second half, turning a 2-1 deficit into a convincing 5-2 victory.

After the match, Rodgers displayed a show of sportsmanship by visiting the Falkirk dressing room to commend their performance. Donaldson revealed the details of Rodgers’ words, noting that the Celtic manager praised Falkirk not only for their performance during the game but also for their consistent style of play throughout the season.

Donaldson shared Rodgers’ comments on The Big Football Podcast, stating, “The biggest mark of respect was Brendan Rodgers actually came into our changing room whilst our manager was still speaking and said how impressed he was, not just with the way we played during the game, but also with his analysis of our build-up play. He said it was a joy to see how we played and how we keep that consistency week in and week out.”

While the praise from Rodgers was well-received, Donaldson admitted that Falkirk’s players were still disappointed with how the final 20 minutes of the game unfolded. Despite leading for much of the first half, Falkirk was unable to maintain their advantage, as Celtic’s substitutions and tactical adjustments ultimately proved too much for the lower-division side.

Both teams earned recognition for their performances in what was an exciting contest at Celtic Park. Falkirk, despite being the underdogs, pressed Celtic and forced them into several errors, which allowed the Championship side to take the lead twice in the first half. Falkirk’s energetic display won them plaudits, with their ability to disrupt Celtic’s usual dominance standing out.

On the other hand, Celtic’s second-half comeback was a testament to the depth and quality within their squad. Rodgers’ decision to make key substitutions turned the game around, with players like Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn making an immediate impact. Idah’s sharp movement and Kuhn’s clinical finishing helped Celtic claw back control of the match and secure their place in the next round of the League Cup.

Idah and Kuhn were instrumental in Celtic’s resurgence, with Kuhn involved in four of Celtic’s five goals. He assisted two and scored twice, showcasing his ability to both create and finish chances. Idah, too, provided a much-needed spark to Celtic’s attack after a lackluster first half, helping the team find their rhythm as they dominated the latter stages of the match.

The contest, broadcast live on television, was widely regarded as one of the best games of the Scottish football season. Both Falkirk and Celtic earned praise for their contributions to an enthralling match that highlighted the competitive nature of the League Cup. For Falkirk, the performance will be a source of pride despite the loss, as they demonstrated that they could compete with the top-tier teams in Scottish football.

For Celtic, the victory will serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining focus throughout the entirety of a match. While the first half exposed some vulnerabilities, particularly after the squad rotations, their response in the second half was emphatic. Rodgers will likely use this match as a learning experience for his team, particularly as they continue to juggle domestic and European commitments.

Rodgers’ post-match visit to the Falkirk dressing room was seen as a gesture of respect and sportsmanship, acknowledging the challenge Falkirk posed to his side. Donaldson’s account of Rodgers’ visit highlighted the mutual respect between the two teams, despite their differing league standings.

Reflecting on Falkirk’s performance, Donaldson emphasized how proud he was of his teammates for sticking to their game plan and executing it effectively for large portions of the match. He noted that although Celtic’s quality eventually shone through, Falkirk could take pride in how they had approached the game and the positive aspects of their performance.

Both teams will now turn their attention to their respective league campaigns. For Celtic, the focus will be on maintaining their momentum as they continue to compete on multiple fronts, including the Champions League and the Scottish Premiership. For Falkirk, the challenge will be to build on this performance as they aim for promotion from the Championship.

Overall, the match was a showcase of Scottish football, providing fans with plenty of drama and entertainment. Falkirk’s spirited display, combined with Celtic’s eventual comeback, made for a thrilling contest that will be remembered as one of the highlights of the League Cup campaign. Both teams emerged with credit, and the encounter served as a reminder of the competitive nature of the tournament, where even the underdogs can push the favorites to their limits.

As Falkirk captain Coll Donaldson reflected on the game, the praise from Brendan Rodgers will serve as both motivation and validation for his team’s efforts. Despite the result, Falkirk can hold their heads high, knowing that they gave one of Scotland’s top teams a real challenge on their own turf.