Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers is satisfied the Hoops can get to the subsequent stage of the Champions League sooner or later after pushing Bayern Munich all the way in which.
The Scottish champions reached the knockout section of the match for the primary time in 12 years after dropping simply twice in eight video games within the league format, and have been then seconds away from extra-time within the Allianz Enviornment.
Given Celtic went into the play-off having failed to switch Kyogo Furuhashi earlier than the switch deadline, there may be clear scope to strengthen in the summertime, assuming they maintain on to different high gamers.
“There are financial levels that we can never get to,” Rodgers mentioned. “I think that’s clear. People talk about going to the next level. But that’s always going to be a challenge for a club like ourselves or clubs without the finances of the really elite clubs.
“However we are able to actually get to the subsequent stage. And the subsequent stage being what we have proven this season with the extent of sport that we are able to play and the arrogance that you just achieve, as a result of that is the large factor at this degree, having the arrogance to go to the Allianz Enviornment and play that approach. So that can give the gamers an enormous carry of confidence.
“And there’s no reason then why, if you can qualify out of these group stages and perform like we did, then there’s no reason why you can’t then move on to a last 16 or a quarter-final.”
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Kris Boyd praised Celtic’s enchancment beneath Rodgers after their late defeat to Bayern Munich within the Champions League
European progress was Rodgers’ acknowledged ambition when he returned to Celtic in the summertime of 2023.
“Without being arrogant, I always feel I can do that,” he mentioned. “I think I’ve done that in my career, I’ve won big games.
“After I was right here the primary time, the fact is perhaps our squad wasn’t constructed for that. Domestically we have been excellent and it was a problem then for us going into European soccer.
“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. For me, I’m not really too bothered about what people think or would say.
“My focus could be very clear on serving to this membership progress at that degree and have credibility in Europe. That is what I wished to attain and I feel we have carried out that this season. Now we have to hopefully maintain that over the approaching seasons.”
Celtic exited the Champions League after a late Bayern Munich equaliser
Whereas the Celtic gamers may have gained confidence from their efficiency in Germany, Rodgers has had to ensure they get better from the crushing blow of conceding 4 minutes into stoppage time.
There isn’t any room for self-pity with a visit to Easter Street to return on Saturday in opposition to a Hibernian aspect who haven’t misplaced in 12 video games.
“I said to the players after the game you can hold your head up so proud because of the level of the opponent,” Rodgers mentioned.
“What you search for on this sport is respect and you may come off the pitch and people guys will respect you for what you probably did over the couple of video games. These are guys who can be difficult for perhaps the Champions League itself.
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Watch highlights from the final Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hibernian
“So the disappointment was there naturally because of the nature of how the game ended. But I said to the players, for us to be sat here, feeling like this, it really shows how far you’ve come.
“I seemed of their eyes after the Dortmund sport (a 7-1 defeat in October) and that was an actual robust one. So it simply confirmed you the mentality and the resilience and the grit that this group have. They overcame that, recovered from the setback after which pushed on.
“We went back to the hotel, we had a beer and then got back to training the next day.
“They very hardly ever get the possibility to do this. Don’t be concerned, it wasn’t a typical Scottish evening out! It was a pleasant relaxed beer and a wine after which we educated the subsequent day, stayed in a single day, preparing for Hibs.
“It’s very important that you can just reflect a little bit and relax and think about the moments within the game and the performance, but very quickly you have to move on.
“We have a couple of months to go, so let’s end off on what will be a completely good marketing campaign for us.”
