Defiant Brendan Rodgers points Celtic cynics to familiar motto to answer 'naive' Champions League charge

The Hoops look to get back on track against Ross County after being demolished in Dortmund

Bullish Brendan Rodgers has told his Celtic doubters to judge him in January after the dismal Champions League display in Dortmund - as the boss borrowed a term from his favourite playbook.

Celtic will look to bounce back from the 7-1 demolition at the hands of Borussia Dortmund when they face off against Ross County on Sunday - but their momentum in the Champions League was dealt a hammerblow by the Bundesliga giants as the Scottish champions look to progress into the knockout phase. Boss Rodgers has been left to pick up the pieces as the Hoops look to continue their perfect start to the domestic season against Don Cowie's men - but has faced criticism from fans and pundits over the rigid tactics he deployed inside the Westfalenstadion.

Asked for his reactions some of the criticism that the boss is "too stubborn or naive" for Europe's elite competition, Rodgers told Sky Sports: "I have no reaction. People get paid to criticise and be a critic. It's absolutely fine.

"For me, we conceded a goal early and go to 1-1. We didn't play so well, but our idea going into the game was not to be open and expansive and give big problems to ourselves. We are not naive.

"We conceded goals and mixed in we could have been better with the ball. I think we got spooked a little bit, like I said after the game, early in the game. But, these things happen. I don't dwell on it.

"It's something in all your life and professional career you will have set-backs, even in your personal life you will have set-backs, but the idea is really to bounce back and have that ability to learn from it. Every challenge you do meet in football, especially if it's a defeat, is a chance to grow. That is what I see this as.

"So my experience tells me we will look at - which we have done - and have the chance to show that resilience and get back to what we had been doing, which was playing brilliant football and exciting football; scoring goals. Then, judge us in the Champions League in January once we have played our eight games."

It's a common point made by Rodgers' throughout his two spells at Parkhead - judge us when it matters. During his first spell in Glasgow's east end, Celtic got the 2018/19 season off to a rocky start following their Double Treble success in the previous two campaigns.

They faced an uphill battle in the Europa League and trailed Hearts by six points in the league - and after defeat to RB Salzburg he declared: “We’ll continue to work. If there is any message it’s: ‘Judge us in May.’ There’s nobody panicking in here."

And while Rodgers would not be the Celtic boss come May - his record remained unblemished. After Neil Lennon took over the reins following his switch to Leicester City, the club would claim another Treble - while Rodgers also led the side out of the Europa League group stage.

Last season, the Celtic boss also infamously pointed to the calendar after being unveiled as manager once again. With a small crowd gathered at Parkhead, he told the doubter he would "see them here in May."

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The bold prophecy could have backfired with Rangers pushing the champions all the way in their defence of the crown - but in the end Rodgers was able to bask in another title triumph. After sealing the trophy, he told fans outside the stadium: “I stood here a year ago and there were about 200 people here. I said I'd see you back here in May... we have a few more than 200 here now, fantastic!"

But will he be proven right this time around? With six games to go in the league phase 10 points is the likely tally needed to secure progress - and the Irishman appears optimistic about Celtic's chances of making their mark.

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