Brendan Rodgers has laid the gauntlet down to his Celtic side as they prepare to take on Club Brugge in the Champions League tomorrow night.
Both teams come into this one off the back of convincing victories. In the green and white corner, the Bhoys ran out 4-1 winners against Hearts to go three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Showing their own mettle, Club Brugge defeated Sint-Trudiense 7-0 as they look to claw back some ground on Genk in the Belgian Pro League.
The work is done and the stage is set for Celtic. Seven points from four Champions League matches have put the Hoops in a favourable position to secure progression to the knockout playoff round, even if the opponent standing before them carries considerable European pedigree.
Ahead of what could be a defining match, Brendan Rodgers has set out how his side plan to summon the spirit needed to claim another vital three points.
Brendan Rodgers previews Celtic test against Club Brugge
Speaking live on Sky Sports as Celtic put the finishing touches to preparations, Rodgers cited the Bhoys’ progression in Europe since his second tenure began and agreed that their win over RB Leipzig is a reference point moving forward.
He explained: “I think we’ve been building towards that over the last 14-15 months, I think the performance level last year even though we didn’t quite get the results or wins that we would want, the performance level certainly indicated to me that we were growing and developing at the level.
“Now in three of the four games, we’ve shown a really high level of performance, different types of performances. Certainly, the Red Bull game was a culmination of everything we would want, the physicality, the pressing in the team, the aggression and also the calmness in our defending.
When you can go away to Atalanta and keep a clean sheet, I think that gives great confidence that at the level and at the very highest level, we can be strong defensively. We take that into the Red Bull game, the same idea, but then we’ve got the home crowd behind us and the level of our football gets elevated and overall, produce a really consistent performance.
“With that there, the performance that we’ve had along the journey in the last few months has given us a real hope to keep progressing and developing in this competition.”
Brendan Rodgers wants Celtic Park to be a fortress again
Continuing later down the line, Rodgers urged everyone involved to show the ‘power of Celtic Park‘ as they look to record their fourth consecutive Champions League victory.
The Irishman said: “I think again for us, it’s another opportunity for us to show the power of Celtic Park. I’ve got absolutely no doubt that every team and supporters will feel that their football ground is special and really special to play there and I respect that.
“But I know this club and I know the fans and I know the stadium, so I know how special it really is and how difficult is can be, but what you have to do is match that with the performance and that’s something that has really pleased me in these recent home games in the Champions League.
“It’s not just a tick-box for players to come here and play at Celtic Park, but it’s to come and realise you’re going to be in for a game here. But that combination of the support base and the team make it a really difficult night.”
Supporters will collectively agree with his words. Celtic’s strength in the Champions League has always came from putting on an intimidating atmosphere that is coupled with an ability to perform with bravery on the ball no matter the opponent.
Tomorrow night, the fans will do their bit to ensure one half of that bargain is met. Hopefully, the players and manager can take the initiative with their backing to write another glorious night into the history books.
