Rodgers sets Champions League target

Brendan Rodgers has spoken of his intentions to get Celtic into the latter stages of the Champions League over the next few years.

Celtic have made it out of the group stages three times, but Rodgers is hoping to make it a regular occurrence in the near future.

Speaking ahead of the game to the Scotsman, Rodgers revealed:

I would hope Celtic can become a last-16 team consistently within the next three years. That was the aim for me in coming here, it was to really build the club and that is to qualify for the Champions League, get out of group stages and see how far we can go there.

We have to have that ambition. I’ve come here to be realistic, of course, and know the superpowers we are competing against. But it shouldn’t stop our ambition to want to be the very best that we can be.

That is the standard that I need to drive and I want to drive the club in every aspect on and off the field. We have to strive to get there. In order for that, there is a lot of work to do.

Rodgers’ side have one point from three games so far, and have been on a step learning curve against Europe’s elite after a three year absence from the Champions League, which be benefit them in years to come.

The German side won 2-0 last time out at Paradise, with captain Lars Stindl and Andre Hahn getting on the scoresheet for the Bundesliga outfit.

Celtic will face Monchengladbach in a crucial Champions League tie for their hopes of progressing in Europe beyond Christmas with games against Barcelona and Manchester City still to come in the competition.

After tonight (Tuesday), the Hoops will be in domestic action once again at home to Inverness before the third international break of the season.