Since returning to Celtic for a second spell as manager, Brendan Rodgers has made it apparent that he is not just targeting domestic domination – he also has a burning desire to achieve success in Europe and the Champions League.
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Rodgers Wants Celtic to Make Champions League Mark
Europe the Benchmark for Celtic
Celtic’s status as the preeminent force in Scottish football has been longstanding. During his first spell, Rodgers developed a slick winning machine, guiding The Hoops to an unprecedented double treble, with another loading, before being lured by the bright lights of the Premier League.
Although copious amounts of silverware continue to roll through the door at Celtic Park, a lack of European progress weakens the standing of a club with aspirations far beyond domestic supremacy. It has been 20 years since the Scottish champions were last victorious in a post-Christmas knockout tie, and an inability to make a mark on the continent is evident in their tumbling coefficient.
In the Champions League Wilderness for Too Long
The finances available to sides in the top five leagues have made tangible European success for outsiders, historic clubs forgotten by UEFA, harder to attain. The Champions League has become an exclusive club, and the gap between the rich and the rest continues to grow at an alarming rate. Despite obvious limitations, Celtic are still too often denied in Europe by clubs with a fraction of their resources.
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As fourth seeds heading into the Champions League, Celtic appeared assured of a blockbuster grouping. Instead, luck was on their side, and a competitive section including Atlético Madrid, Feyenoord and Lazio gave them hope. An opening day defeat to the unspectacular Dutch champions, Feyenoord, has piled pressure on Rodgers’ men ahead of this evening’s clash with Lazio.
European Involvement After Christmas The Target for Rodgers
What is success for Celtic in Europe? Expectations are not what they once were, but third place and a berth in the Europa League after Christmas would be a decent return. To achieve that, a first group stage win in six years will be necessary – and an upturn in home form is imperative to their hopes.
Celtic have been too easy to play against in Europe for some time, especially at home. There has been an unwillingness to compromise on style, and such stubbornness has exposed a softcore. They lack athleticism, energy, and defensive nous in midfield, and it was a surprise Rodgers did not address a glaring and reoccurring problem.
Celtic Decide Against Spending to Improve Champions League Hopes
Rodgers’ return coincided with him stressing his European ambitions, leading to assumptions of a lavish summer spending spree. Reinforcements did arrive, but the transfer policy of buying youngsters with potential remained in place. The ready-made, bonafide starters sought by the manager were, ultimately, not pursued.
With Jota’s peculiar exit to Saudi Arabia in the summer and Aaron Mooy’s surprise retirement, they are weaker than last year. They are overflowing with options, many of which are untested, and it is therefore only natural to presume Celtic, at boardroom level, are content to bank Champions League monies, embrace their underdog status, and hope for the best.
Celtic Will Embarce Lazio Challenge
Lazio possesses the quality to disarm and overpower the Hoops. The Scots will, however, not be intimidated by the prospect of challenging the 16th-best team in Italy so far this season. There are certain Champions League fixtures that appear near impossible to win, but this is not one of them.
Tonight is a golden opportunity for Celtic to offer Europe a timely reminder of their might.
