The match-winner in Celtic’s shock defeat to part-timers Lincoln Red Imps in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier in Gibraltar says his team was confident of causing an upset.
Police officer Lee Casciaro, who had scored Gibraltar's first international goal against Scotland at Hampden in 2015, sensationally won the game with a 48th-minute strike and condemn Brendan Rodgers to one of the club’s most shocking defeats in their history.
Around 300 travelling Celtic supporters saw Leigh Griffiths hit woodwork twice and afterwards Rodgers insisted there was “no embarrassment” in the surprise defeat.
Speaking after the game, Casiero couldn’t conceal his delight.
“Beating a big club like Celtic it is something you dream about. And we’ve done it in Gibraltar,” he said.
“Getting the winning goal is something that will be with me for the rest of my life.”
In the searing heat, the Scottish giants couldn’t find the breakthrough and Casciaro says his team knew they would cause trouble for their highly-fancied visitors.
Historic result for our club tonight. A brave performance by our lads has delivered a dream result. Well done to all !
— Lincoln Red Imps FC (@LincolnRedImps) July 12, 2016
“We knew that we were going to cause them problems. We are used to playing in these conditions. “We knew they were going to struggle.
“They were going to press us up front and leave space defensively. We had to exploit that.”
The scale of the achievement was fully illustrated by the fact many of the home side had worked earlier in the day before the qualifier.
“Most of us work. This is like a hobby for us.
“We have a couple of professionals that have come over from Spain and a few locals, but mainly we are a semi-professional team.”
Rodgers, meanwhile, insists he still believes that his team will advance when Lincoln Red Imps travel to Glasgow next week.
"We have seen enough to see that we can get through in the second leg. Of course you are disappointed to lose,” he said.
"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.
"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."
