Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers remains optimistic about the club's future in the Champions League, expressing his belief that the team can advance to the next stages of the prestigious tournament. His confidence stems from Celtic's impressive performance this season, particularly their closely contested play-off against Bayern Munich. The Scottish champions were seconds away from forcing extra time in the Allianz Arena, underlining their ability to compete with Europe's elite.
Rodgers, who returned to Celtic in the summer of 2023 with ambitions of European success, has been instrumental in revitalizing the team's prospects. Under his leadership, Celtic reached the knockout phase of the Champions League for the first time in 12 years, losing only twice in eight games during the league format. This achievement has instilled a renewed sense of confidence among the players and supporters alike.
Celtic's ability to challenge top-tier clubs like Bayern Munich has been a testament to their growth and resilience. Despite a narrow 3-2 aggregate loss in their Champions League play-off, the team's performance in Germany provided a significant boost to their self-belief. Rodgers emphasized the importance of confidence at this level, asserting that it is a crucial factor in competing successfully in the Champions League.
"Without being arrogant, I always feel I can do that," Rodgers remarked, highlighting his track record of winning big games throughout his career.
Rodgers acknowledged the challenges faced during his first stint at Celtic, noting that their squad was not initially built for European competitions despite domestic success. However, he remains unfazed by criticism, maintaining a clear focus on helping Celtic establish credibility in Europe. This season's progress serves as a testament to his commitment and vision for the club.
"When I was here the first time, the reality is maybe our squad wasn't built for that. Domestically we were very good and it was a challenge then for us going into European football," Rodgers explained.
"You'll always have critics, there'll be something else. You do something else and someone will say something else. That's the way life is and the way the game is," he added, unfazed by external opinions.
As Celtic prepares to return to Scottish Premiership action against Hibernian at Easter Road on Saturday lunchtime, Rodgers remains focused on sustaining their European progress. He emphasized that this season's achievements are only the beginning and that he aims to build on this foundation in the coming years.
"My focus is very clear on helping this club progress at that level and have credibility in Europe. That's what I wanted to achieve and I think we've done that this season. Now we've got to hopefully sustain that over the coming seasons," Rodgers stated confidently.
The experience gained from their Champions League journey has equipped Celtic with valuable lessons and motivation for future campaigns. Rodgers' unwavering belief in his team's potential underscores his commitment to achieving success on the European stage.
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