Brendan Rodgers has vowed to repay the elderly Celtic fan who travelled 3,500 miles to Kazakhstan this week for his support – by giving him reason to cheer in the game against Rangers at Ibrox today and the Europa League matches this term.
The Northern Irishman was amazed when he spotted a septuagenarian in the away section of the Central Stadium before the Champions League play-off second leg match against Kairat on Tuesday night – and disappointed for the pensioner when the visitors lost on penalties.
But Rodgers has got the agonising reverse out of his system and is focusing fully on the William Hill Premiership game against Rangers at Ibrox tomorrow and the European games against Roma, Feyenoord, Braga, Red Star Belgrade, Sturm Graz, Midtjylland, Utrecht and Bologna.
He is hopeful that Celtic can give the intrepid supporter who flew, despite his advancing years, to Asia in midweek some special moments to savour in the coming months and another successful campaign at home and abroad to enjoy.
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“The other night I walked round to see the supporters before the game,” he said. “I don't normally do that because I'm normally inside. But I've seen a 77-year-old guy stood on the side of the stand, looking in, ready to watch the game.
“I'm looking at him and thinking, ‘Christ, this poor guy has travelled a long way, he's probably had loads of connections to get to the game’. It's our duty to make sure that he and all our supporters are seeing the best possible team. I know that better than anyone.
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Rodgers added, “You want the very best for your club and for your team. We had an opportunity and it hasn't happened. But we don't give up on it. We go again and we look to be the best that we can be.
“We see if we can give some great moments to our supporters and everyone involved with the club in a Europa League run whilst fighting domestically.
“Everyone remembers 2003 and the run (to the UEFA Cup final) that came from not being in the Champions League that season. It became one of the great historical runs and seasons in our history. So, yeah, this gives us the opportunity to create great memories here. Let's see what we can do in the competition and in some fantastic games.
“We've won most of our games against Rangers because we've played well. We’ve focused on performance, not got too caught up in the hype of it all, played without fear. That's expected here. When we've done that in the majority of my time here, we've played well and won the games.”
