In the aftermath of the Dortmund game, I wasn’t just concerned about the collapse itself. It was more about what it suggested regarding the team’s mentality.
Yes, there were tactical issues in how we approached the game, and some choices clearly didn’t work out. But to concede the second goal so quickly after equalising, then the third shortly after, leading to an overall breakdown—this was about more than just tactics.
Tactics undoubtedly played a part.
What happened was that Dortmund identified our weaknesses and exploited them ruthlessly, as any skilled opponent would. They hammered at those weak spots, taking full advantage until our resolve broke. Yet, it wasn’t solely about flaws in the game plan; there was something fundamentally lacking in the team’s mindset.
After that third goal went in, it was as though our players gave up. Heads went down, belief visibly drained, and the basics that make us successful in Scotland were abandoned.
Mentally, they were visibly affected.
When they returned to Scotland for the Ross County match, they still looked shaky, as if the psychological wounds were fresh. We scraped a win in that game, which at least showed we hadn’t been completely broken. There was enough fight left to claw back those three points, and we deserved that win. Still, I worried that the underlying issue lingered.
In reflecting on that defeat, it became clear there was a recurring mentality problem with our club when playing top-level European sides. This isn’t a one-off; it’s something we’ve seen happen disturbingly often. The moment a game appears to be slipping out of reach, our players seem to act as if it’s already gone. A couple of quick concessions often lead to an avalanche, suggesting problems not only in tactical approach but in self-belief.
We’re accustomed to dominating teams domestically, but when we step onto the European stage, that confidence evaporates. At home, we play with an assuredness, expecting to be the superior team, but abroad, there’s a clear shift.
It’s as though the players feel they’re punching above their weight, unable to impose themselves as they do at home. That’s what made this week’s win so significant—it wasn’t just the victory itself, but how we achieved it by fighting back from a goal down.
The way we rallied after conceding the first goal was remarkable. For a few moments, it looked as if another goal from the opposition might crush us, but we held our ground and re-established our presence. The equaliser felt like a turning point; from that moment, I sensed we would win. By the time we scored the second, any lingering doubts were gone.
This game represented a major psychological milestone. What I’m curious about is how Brendan Rodgers managed to instil that sense of belief in his players, especially after a dispiriting defeat like the one in Dortmund. The Atalanta draw in Bergamo was helpful, no doubt, but this was a more significant step forward, a sign of genuine mental growth in the squad.
One theory I had after the Dortmund match was that perhaps the club needed to bring in a sports psychologist to help the players reset mentally.
I even suggested this approach in an article, thinking a specialist could be valuable in building resilience for high-stakes European games. Then I remembered—we already have someone at the club who’s adept in this area: Brendan Rodgers himself.
As many fans know, Rodgers has a background in neurolinguistics, a discipline that has proven effective in various high-performance sectors, including business and sports.
Neurolinguistics, in essence, is the use of language and communication techniques to influence how people think, feel, and ultimately act. By reprogramming mental responses, it’s possible to help players improve their focus, manage pressure, and stay resilient during setbacks. Neurolinguistic techniques are even used in law enforcement and intelligence fields to gain cooperation and enhance psychological resilience. In sports, these techniques are invaluable in helping players deal with the intense scrutiny and mental demands of elite competition.
Rodgers understands how to use language to reinforce positive behaviours and reframe negative patterns, which can be a game-changer on the field.
For instance, he has a knack for alleviating the individual pressures players place on themselves, helping them approach challenges with clarity instead of tension. By doing so, he builds a collective resilience that becomes vital during moments of high stress, such as recovering from an early goal in a crucial European fixture. It’s clear that this approach has contributed to the transformation in mentality that we saw in the team’s response during this recent match.
The difference was tangible; the team had a completely different attitude when they conceded on Tuesday night. For the first time in recent European memory, I didn’t see anyone panic. Sure, we were on the back foot for five or ten minutes, but the players held their composure. There was no sign of collapse, no defeated looks. Instead, they rallied admirably, showing a focus and flexibility as impressive as their on-the-ball skill.
This is where Rodgers truly shines—not only as a tactician but as a motivator and leader. If he has genuinely shifted the mindset within the club, helping these players concentration under pressure, then our upcoming games should hold little fear. We should feel ready and capable of facing whatever challenges come next, not just surviving them but thriving in them. This team might well be on the brink of something truly special.