Rodgers 'not bothered' by critics after Celtic's 7-1 loss

Brendan Rodgers says he is "not really bothered" by critics as Celtic prepare for their first game since their 7-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund.

The Scottish Premiership champions and leaders visit Ross County on Sunday, five days after losing their second Champions League fixture in Germany, having opened with a similarly one-sided 5-1 defeat of Slovan Bratislava in Glasgow.

Rodgers' record in Champions League group stage or league phase fixtures over his two spells as Celtic manager stands at three wins, four draws and 13 defeats.

"I don’t feel anything," he said when asked how he responds to critics. "I'm not really bothered - that's my honest answer.

"You can’t just turn the tap off and say, ‘right, you become super defensive’. It’s not how we play. What do we do? Sit back, have 15% of the ball and probably lose 3-0, 4-0?"

Rodgers would prefer to "play as you play" and learn from mistakes rather than "play five at the back".

"I’d much rather do that and go down with my own vision," he said. "I respect the opinion, but I don’t listen to it. Never have."

Rodgers does not consider himself "a dreamer" regarding Celtic's chances of being competitive in the Champions League, with games still to come against Atalanta, Leipzig, Bruges, Dinamo Zagreb, Young Boys and Aston Villa.

"We will be judged in January when the eight games are finished and we'll see where the points total takes us," he added.

"I believe in the group of players, how they’ve been working. It was a sore one the other night. I know we will bounce back to a stronger position, because we will learn from it.

"I’m not daft. I hear all the words. ‘Pragmatism’ and all this stuff, whatever else gets thrown at teams that want to play. We don't play that way to lose, we play it to win, and we also know there are certain games and opponents you have to adjust."