Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic are better equipped to succeed at Champions League level and is excited to get started in the competition.
The Scottish champions begin their league phase campaign on Wednesday when they host Slovan Bratislava in the first game of the new-look competition.
After struggling at the elite level in recent years, there are hopes that the revamped format can be the catalyst for an improved showing and the manager is hopeful his side can show their ability against the continent’s best.
A busy transfer window has seen several players – including experienced goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and club record signing Arne Engels – move to the club, boosting Rodgers’ confidence.
“The next level for us is to be competitive in Europe,” he told STV. We could have spent a lot, lot more money, and might not have gotten to the position that some people want us to be in.
“What’s most important at Celtic is that we’ve been able to strength the squad over the summer, which gives us a good chance. Not just in European competitions but in all the competitions.
“But definitely in Europe, where we felt ‘Could we be really competitive?’ and I’m really looking forward to see how we can be over the eight games.
“We’re very determined. We have a lot of tough games but we go into it with a lot of positive expectation to succeed and do as well as we can.
“That’s what I’ve always felt, that we have got players now with experience of the level. Young, hungry players but importantly we have a physicality in the squad which I think is important at the highest level.
“I’m looking forward to seeing us face these challenges and tests. We arrive into that first game in a really good place and I’m excited about it.”
Celtic have started the season in impressive form, winning all five of their league matches without conceding and scoring 14 goals along the way, as well as progressing in the Premier Sports Cup. Rodgers believes that plans for the season have been carried through effectively and consistency has been built in to the side.
The manager says his side are in “a good mood” and is looking forward to starting the European journey in front of a packed Celtic Park but warned against anyone playing down the danger that Slovan Bratislava will pose.
He said: “I think any team that comes into this level, and I know people measure teams and think maybe they’re not so well known or an easy game, there’s no easy games at this level.
“Teams that are playing in the Champion League are teams that are used to winning. Slovan Bratislava are 15 games into their season and won 11 of those. So they will come with an expectation to play well.
“This is about us putting them under as much stress as we can with our football, our tempo, the crowd and bring a real excitement to see where that takes us.”
‘It shows you what football can bring’
STV NewsThe Celtic manager took time out from his preparations for Europe to offer advice to Scotland’s Homeless World Cup squad, who visited the Lennoxtown training base on Monday.
Scotland have won the global tournament twice, in 2007 and 2011, and the representatives from Street Soccer Scotland are hoping to impress this year in Seoul.
Rodgers praised Street Soccer founder David Duke for his inspirational work and said he would be keeping an eye on the side’s results.
“The chance to meet them before they go away to South Korea is so nice,” the Celtic boss said. “I know David from the first time I was up here and the work he has done for Street Soccer throughout the UK is absolutely incredible.
“What he’s done in his own life and then to help so many other people is just amazing. I always offer my support and help to him.
“The guys will obviously be very proud to represent Scotland and I’ll be looking to see how they get on.”
After talking to some of the players, Rodgers said the competition and the opportunities that come with it were proof of how football can enrich lives.
“It’s interesting hearing their thoughts and their expectations and what they’re looking forward to,” he said.
“Just speaking to one of the young guys and actually one of the first things he said was ‘food’ and not football. It was actually the culture of Korea and getting that experience. He’s never been on airplane before or travelled.
“Things like that show you what football can bring: it’s not just football, it’s life experience and these guys get that opportunity.”
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
