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Brendan Rodgers warns Celtic fans against using fireworks during RB Leipzig visit | Celtic


Brendan Rodgers warns Celtic fans against using fireworks during RB Leipzig visit | Celtic

Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers has reiterated his call for the club's fans to stop using pyrotechnics as RB Leipzig's Bonfire Night Champions League visit sparked fears of a UEFA ban.

The use of fireworks by fans during last month's 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund resulted in Celtic being fined by Uefa and telling their fans they would be banned from attending an away game if another incident of this type occurs within two years. The warning was heeded when Celtic drew with Atalanta two weeks ago, but kick-off in the Scottish League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen on Saturday was postponed after another Celtic pyrotechnic display. UEFA is keeping a close eye on the matter.

Rodgers, who has described fans who use fireworks as selfish, wants the scenes from Saturday night at Hampden Park not to be repeated when Leipzig visit Glasgow on Tuesday. “It's exactly what we said before, it's not something we really want to see,” he said. “There's this sanction hanging over the club and we really don't want that.” Should Rodgers be ignored, the away travel ban would likely apply to Celtic's trip to Zagreb in December.

Celtic's Champions League place is more enchanting. This well-deserved point in Bergamo means the Scottish champions have taken four points from three games. Leipzig are under pressure after losing their first three games, most recently at home to Liverpool.

“I think Leipzig will be no different to Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund, a top team at the top of their league,” Rodgers added. “They have everything you would want from a top European team. Speed, power, power, technique.

“It’s a great challenge for us and we’re really looking forward to it. Obviously we've been away the last few games, we got a really good result against Atalanta, we're back home and we're really happy about it. Going into this fourth game, they will obviously be desperate to pick up points. But luckily we are and that should mean a really, really fantastic game.”

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“I think what Atalanta have proven to the players at the highest level is that we can do it, but it really requires great concentration, great commitment and cohesion,” Rodgers added. “It was very, very good how they were all synchronized in their actions and moving up the pitch, standing close together and filling spaces. So it will be the same, we will need moments of it and then you get the right to play then.”

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