Brendan Rodgers counting on home comforts in Europa League

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has urged his players to use their Parkhead double-header to impose themselves on the Europa League.

Rodgers’ side got off to a positive start in the competition when they secured a 1-1 draw against Red Star Belgrade in Serbia.

They now host Braga on Thursday before welcoming Sturm Graz three weeks later.

Their next opponents beat Feyenoord 1-0 in their opening game but have failed to win any of their last five matches in Liga Portugal.

Rodgers told Celtic TV: “They’ve had their struggles in the league but obviously had a good result against Feyenoord, so that got them the three points in the first game.

“Like all Portuguese teams, they’ll be well organised. They’ve sort of jumped between 3-4-3 in their structure and 4-3-3. So we’ll see what they bring.

“But they’ve got gifted players, talented players, and games at this level are always going to be a good challenge.

“But I’m really happy for us to be at home over our next two games. It’s a really good opportunity for us to impose ourselves in the early stages of the group.

“Every time we play I always want us to be creative and be attacking and play with a real speed and tempo in our game. That’s when my teams are at their best.

“So we want to bring that to Celtic Park and the supporters hopefully then get behind that and enjoy that.

“Our whole duty is to win and that’s what we want to do.”