Brendan Rodgers warns Celtic fans not to use fireworks during RB Leipzig’s visit | Celtic

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has reiterated his call for the club’s supporters to stop using pyrotechnics, with the Bonfire Night Champions League visit of RB Leipzig sparking fears of a Uefa ban.

Supporters’ use of fireworks during last month’s 7-1 defeat by Borussia Dortmund led to Celtic being fined by Uefa and told their fans will be banned from attending an away match if there is another such incident within two years. The warning was heeded when Celtic drew against Atalanta two weeks ago, but kick-off at Saturday’s Scottish League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen was delayed after another Celtic pyro display. Uefa is keeping a close eye on the matter.

Rodgers, who has called fans using fireworks selfish, wants no repeat of Saturday night’s scenes at Hampden Park 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 is that sanction hanging over the club and we really don’t want that.” Should Rodgers be ignored, the away travel ban is likely to apply to Celtic’s trip to Zagreb in December.

More endearing is Celtic’s Champions League position. The well-deserved point in Bergamo means the Scottish champions have taken four points from three outings. Pressure is on for Leipzig after the Bundesliga side lost 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 right at the top of their league,” Rodgers added. “They have everything you want in a top European side. Speed, strength, power, technique.

“It’s a brilliant challenge for us, and we’re really looking forward to it. Obviously we’ve been away for the last few games, we’re off the back of a really good result against Atalanta, we’re back at home and we’re really excited about that. Of course, coming into this fourth game, they’re obviously going to be desperate to get points on the board. But luckily we are too, and that should mean a really, really great game.”

“I think what Atalanta showed to the players at the very highest level, we can do it, but it really takes a lot of concentration, it takes a lot of commitment and it takes unity,” Rodgers added. “The way they were all in sync in their actions and moving up the pitch and being close and filling out spaces, they were very, very good. So it’s going to be the same, we’re going to need moments of that and then it gives you the right to then play.”