Before Celtic went down to nine men in the space of five minutes halfway through the second half, "we were well in the game," Rodgers said. "Unfortunately for us, we got the two players sent off and it's a difficult level 11 v 11, but 11 v nine is really difficult," he said.
Defender Gustaf Lagerbielke was shown a second yellow card after pulling back Brazilian striker Igor Paixao in the box. He was barely down the tunnel when substitute Odin Thiago Holm also saw red for a studs up late challenge. "I think it's inexperience by the two guys, you've just got to let the ball run through, you don't have to be in the fight," said manager.
But Rodgers was heartened by the "spirit and mentality" of the nine men left on the pitch, who managed to keep the score respectable, with Feyenoord having two late goals disallowed.