Brendan Rodgers is excited that his Scottish top flight champions’ side qualified for the Champions League playoff stage after seeing off Rosenborg. James Forrest handed them the required points with his stunner in the 69th minute.

Celtic were not at their best in the first leg at home. They were not still at their best away but they were more spirited than their hosts, getting the decisive goal late in the second half. The Scotland international went agonizingly close earlier in the game before he finally got his sole goal to hand Celtic a 1-0 aggregate win.

Rodgers praised the performance of the team despite the limitations ahead of the duel.

“It was a big performance. Take away the win, what was important for me was the maturity. This time last year I was going into these games with a hope that we could go through, to try to find a way.

“To come out here and play to that level with that composure – everyone was talking about the pressure of the game so to play that way was sensational, really,” the former Reds boss said.

The Hoops’ boss praised NirBitton for his performance despite the alteration from his original role. He also praised Forrest for his goal, scoring from wide.

Rodgers said the draw would come with its anxiety which the team would be happy to go through. He says he is confident in how the team work and play. For now the focus would be against Hearts on Saturday.

Rosenborg coach KareIngebrigtsen said his side suffered for not taking their chances when they had the opportunity. He claimed they started losing the game from the clash at Parkhead.

“We should have scored in Glasgow, that’s where we lost it, not today.”