Rodgers urges Celtic squad to bring the noise after silent protests in Hibernian draw

Brendan Rodgers urged his Celtic team to bring the noise onto the pitch ahead of their Europa League return after drawing 0-0 with Hibernian on Saturday. 

Celtic dropped points for just the second time in the Scottish Premiership this season, seeing them replaced at the summit by Hearts, who thumped Falkirk 3-0. 

It was a frustrating day for Rodgers' side, who saw both Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi strike the crossbar within nine first-half minutes of each other.  

Iheanacho then thought he had put Celtic in front, but following a VAR review, his goal was ruled out for offside, with neither side threatening the scoreline after the break. 

But that was not reflected in the expected goals (xG) battle, with Celtic amassing a total of 3 from their 26 attempts on target, compared to Hibernian's 0.8 from their four shots. 

However, another clean sheet means that Celtic have kept five clean sheets in their opening six games, only conceding once to Kilmarnock, in a game in which they won 2-1.

Rodgers and his team will now turn their attention back to the Europa League however, as they host Portuguese side Braga on Thursday.

And the Celtic boss wants his side to rediscover their attacking spark, something that was also lacking in their European opener against Red Star Belgrade last Wednesday. 

"In terms of performance, the players did really well. If you look at the metrics we created big chances, moved the ball really well, the pitch was fantastic.

"Our only downside was that killer touch in the box. You have to give credit to Hibs. 

"They had so many defending in the box and their keeper made some great saves and they made some really good blocks.

"I can't be displeased with the performance. You always want to win and win well. If we score one of those chances it opens the games up.

"There was good energy in the team, good focus some really good football. Why? Technique, bit of luck, good goalkeeping, defenders making blocks.

"I've been in 0-0s before. We were creative in some really good areas but just missed those opportunities."

The first 12 minutes at Celtic Park was played out in silence among the home supporters amid a protest against the club's board. 

That hush is planned to stretch to the opening 29 minutes of Thursday's Europa League clash, and Rodgers has urged his players to bring the noise on the pitch. 

"I can only focus on the football. That's the challenge for me at the moment, to give the supporters that belief and hope we'll continue to improve.

"They'd have liked to have won the game, and I want people coming away talking about football rather than silence and protests.

"After that 12th minute, you felt the support and lift which can make a difference. We just need to really step it up in the final third."