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Brendan Rodgers insists he is not embarrassed by Celtic's loss to part-time side Lincoln Red Imps

Celtic leave the field of play having lost 1-0
Image: Celtic players leave the field after their shock defeat in Gibraltar

Brendan Rodgers claimed there was "no embarrassment" in losing his first game as Celtic boss 1-0 against part-time Lincoln Red Imps in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier at the Victoria Stadium.

The Parkhead side were stunned when striker Lee Casciaro, who had scored Gibraltar's first international goal against Scotland at Hampden in 2015, sensationally put the part-timers ahead in the 47th minute.

Hoops striker Leigh Griffiths hit the woodwork twice as the visitors battled back but the home side held out for a result which ranks as one of the most embarrassing in Celtic's European history, although the Scottish champions will fancy their chances in the return game in Glasgow next week.

 Celtic's Efe Ambrose (left) stands dejected with Erik Sviatchenko
Image: Celtic's Efe Ambrose (left) stands dejected with Erik Sviatchenko

Asked if there were red faces in the dressing room, the former Liverpool boss, who took over from Ronny Deila in May, said: "No. There is obvious disappointment.

"There is no embarrassment. It was a tough game in tough conditions. We didn't take our chances, they took their chance.

Lincoln's Lee Casciaro (second from right) celebrates as he opens the scoring
Image: Lincoln's Lee Casciaro (second from right) celebrates as he opens the scoring

"We dominated and created enough chances to score. Sometimes it can happen, obviously with the pitch, an awkward bounce and all of a sudden the player is in, it's into the floor and goes in.

"We have seen enough to see that we can get through in the second leg. Of course you are disappointed to lose.

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"It was difficult, of course. They set up 5-4-1. And it doesn't matter the team, the level. Teams have good organisation, 11 players behind the ball.

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Former Celtic striker and Sky Sports analyst Andy Walker reacts to the defeat to Lincoln Red Imps in Gibraltar

"Throw the pitch into that, it's very, very tough for the players.

"But we created enough chances, their keeper made fantastic saves. It gives us a bit of work to do in the second leg."

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