The Celtic manager was pleased with the efforts of his team against the Asian Champions League holders after the Bhoys claimed victory on penalties.
Auston Trusty cancelled out Galeno’s strike for a 1-1 result after 90 minutes.
Summer signing Shin Yamada netted the decisive penalty to win the subsequent shoot-out after coming on as a substitute at half-time.
On his new Japanese striker’s contribution, Rodgers said post-match, “It’s nice for him. He’s come in, and it’s always different, he’s just dropped into a new culture and a new way of working and intensity.
“He’s worked very hard in training and obviously sadly didn’t get the run out the other night, but it was planned to give him 45 minutes today and he worked very hard in the game and showed good composure.
“He’s very quick, he’s very strong, he wants to get in behind. He just needs to get in, from the wee bits I’ve seen of him, better, more decisive positions to score, because we are a team that creates a lot of opportunities.”
It was a night that Rodgers welcomed established players back into the starting eleven after stalled individual pre-seasons.
Alistair Johnston returned after extended international duty with Canada, while Cameron Carter-Vickers got more minutes after his surgery in the off-season. However, both still have a way to go to catch up with their team-mates.
“He’s a number of weeks behind them,” Rodgers said of Carter-Vickers. “It’s that mixture between giving them game time and looking after them, because you can overdo it.
“It’s such a long season, and the boys actually that have played before him have done really well, Dane Murray’s been excellent, and some of the other players.
“Alistair Johnston is the same. He won’t be up to speed for a wee bit yet, either, but Tony Ralston’s there and he’s been great also.”
Rodgers inevitably addressed Celtic’s transfer situation post-match, too, after his call for quality and ambition in the wake of defeat to Ajax.
Asked if he was expecting any signings soon, Rodgers admitted, “I don’t know, I haven’t had any sort of update as of yet.
“But I’m very hopeful that’ll be the case, I think we know that we want to improve the squad, so we’re hoping that’ll be the case.”
Rodgers also gave more of his young academy graduates minutes against Al Ahli, with Ben Summers and Colby Donovan given a run-out in the second half.
Asked about the potential of youngsters getting competitive minutes in the coming season, the Celtic boss said, “I certainly always look at young players, to see if they’re game ready for us, so that’s the whole idea of bringing them with you, to let them see and see what level they’re at.
“I think the opportunity is always there, for any young player. Of course you need the opportunity, but it’s not rocket science, it’s hard work, and it’s just a case of looking at where your development is at.
“Do they need a loan, or do they need to stay and develop and play and train around the first team? Every player is different, but the look will always be there for young players at the club.”
Celtic travel home from Italy on Sunday and will have a full week of preparation at Lennoxtown before hosting St Mirren in next weekend’s Scottish Premiership opener.
