Celtic's lack of goals 'not rocket science', says Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers says it is not "rocket science" as to why Celtic have struggled for goals this season, though he is looking for improvements ahead of their Europa League match against Sporting Braga.

Celtic have scored just once in three European outings this season (including qualifiers), having drawn 1-1 with Red Star Belgrade in their Europa League opener last week.

They have struggled for goals in the league as well, though, netting just eight times in the Scottish Premiership.

Celtic saw high-profile departures in forward positions in recent transfer windows, with Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn leaving, while Jota, who returned to Glasgow, is out injured.

Rodgers was quick to highlight Celtic's impressive defence, noting that they require patience further up the pitch as their new additions settle in.

"Of course, we're not scoring as many goals as normal, but the team is still showing a really resilient side," said Rodgers.

"We haven't lost this season. Defensively, we're very strong. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand where and why we haven't got the goals, because a manager can always transform a team, but the trajectory of a team will always come down to the level of players that you have. That has not changed in football.

"It's not rocket science; it was the same way back years ago as to what it is now. The players ultimately will transform the trajectory of your football.

"So, for us, we brought some new players in, we give them time to settle in. Once we've done that, we support them and the players that are here.

"We continue to work with them and look to push the levels as we go through the season."

Celtic have lost just one of their last eight home games in all European competition (W4 D3), suffering a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in last season's Champions League.

The Bhoys are given a very slim 1% chance of lifting the Europa League trophy, according to the Opta supercomputer, but their hopes of making it through to the quarter-finals currently sit at 22%.

And Rodgers insisted Celtic will give their European campaign their fullest attention as he eyes a deep run in the competition.

"It's very important," he said. "We didn't earn the right as a club to be in the Champions League. We wanted to be there, but we're not.

"We're still in a prestigious competition, so for us as a team and coaches and players, we really look forward to this challenge.

"We're going to come up against some really, really good teams. So, for us, it's still a great tournament to be involved in."