Brendan Rodgers names just three Celtic players who impressed him in 3-0 Zenit defeat

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Celtic are out of the Europa League after a 3-0 defeat at Zenit St Petersburg tonight.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has told STV that there were only three players who impressed him against Zenit St Petersburg tonight; Scott Brown, Olivier Ntcham and Moussa Dembele.

The Bhoys went into the second leg of their Europa League round of 32 clash with Zenit having won the first leg 1-0 last week, as Callum McGregor’s late goal handed the Bhoys a victory.

Manager Rodgers was hoping to complete the job in Russia, but endured a nightmare as Roberto Mancini’s side ran riot at the Krestovsky Stadium, claiming a 3-0 win on the night to make it into the last 16.

Former Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic handed Zenit the lead with an unmarked header after just seven minutes, before Daler Kuzyaev made it 2-0, giving Zenit the initiative on aggregate.

Aleksandr Kokorin put the seal on the win and Zenit’s passage into the next round with a third goal on the hour mark, dumping Celtic out of the competition after a torrid night.

Manager Rodgers will be disappointed to have gone out after such a spirited first leg display, but it was once again his side’s defending which proved to be the Achilles heel of his team.

After the final whistle, Rodgers spoke to STV and suggested that only three players in his team – midfielders Scott Brown and Olivier Ntcham, as well as striker Moussa Dembele – impressed him tonight.

Rodgers added that he didn’t think his side we aggressive enough and gave away poor goals defensively, though did feel that the Bhoys improved with their second half display.

“Dembele was very good and aggressive, Ntcham was good and Brown always is, he is excellent for the team,” said Rodgers. “But I just thought defensively, as a back line, we didn’t press the game or squeeze the space. Last week I think we showed that when our concentration is at its best and we defend forward we can defend really well.”

“Tonight I thought, in particular in the first half, we weren’t aggressive enough and a little bit passive. The goals we gave away were really disappointing goals from that aspect. So yeah, a disappointing end – a bit better in the second half – but defensively we gave away three very poor goals,” he added.