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Rodgers feels there's lessons to learn from Celtic's defeat to Ajax

Rodgers feels there's lessons to learn from Celtic's defeat to Ajax

STV News25-07-2025
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers felt his side could take some positives as well as some lessons after they fell to a 5-1 defeat by Ajax in their penultimate pre-season friendly in Como.
The Hoops were looking to build on impressive wins over Sporting Lisbon and Newcastle and were the better team in the first half.
Yang Hyun-jun slotted home a quickfire equaliser for Celtic after Steven Berghuis had curled the opener. The South Korean winger latched on to Reo Hatate's through ball after Kieran Tierney's wonderful long pass had opened up the Ajax defence.
The Dutch side took control immediately after the interval. Davy Klaassen scored on the rebound and Berghuis got his second after a misplaced pass from Benjamin Nygren deep in his own half.
Spectacular long-range strikes from Aaron Bouwman and Rayane Bounida made it a difficult finale for the Scottish champions.
Rodgers told Celtic TV: 'I didn't think it was quite a 5-1 game. For the first 60 minutes of the game, we were very good, and the third goal we gave away.
'But we had lots of really good moments, scored one and should have had more. The goal we scored was very, very good.
'Then I just felt in the last 30 minutes of the game, we gave the ball away far too easily and we lost out on too many duels.
'You can see with the players, they're obviously working very hard. They're getting a wee bit leggy in some of the games because we're pushing them into training. So, sometimes you get that.
'Then obviously, the two goals right at the end are disappointing because they're shots from outside the box, which we should do better with. You've got to get to the ball.
'But overall really, lots of positives from us, but also always a reminder of still the work we have to do.'
The defeat means there will be no swift reunion with winger Nicolas Kuhn, who watched from the stand following his recent move to Como.
Ajax will now take on the hosts in the final of the Como Cup while Celtic will face Asian Champions League winners Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
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