Brendan Rodgers explains Celtic’s target in Europe

Brendan Rodgers is back in the Celtic managerial hot seat and set to guide the club into the Champions League once again. This is not the first time he has done so, although his past record in the competition can be considered shaky as best. The Northern Irishman has won only one of the twelve games he has managed the Hoops in Europe’s elite competition.

That is not a great record. But Rodgers’ Celtic teams have gotten some positive results in the past. One would also hope that he has learned from those past experiences and is better equipped this time around.

Celtic have been placed in a tricky group with Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Feyenoord. All of those are expected to be tough games. But at the same time, there is a hope that they could potentially make something happen.

Rodgers has clearly laid down what success would look like for Celtic in Europe this season. As reported by the Daily Record, the manager said:

"“Success for us is to be in Europe after Christmas. That’s what our aim is, whatever competition that is in, that is our aim. But anything is possible and we want to be competitive in all the games.”"

Rodgers explains Celtic’s target in Europe

So, it is pretty clear that Celtic want to avoid finishing bottom of their group and being out of Europe altogether. That is exactly what happened last season, even though they did put in some very positive displays.

It remains to be seen if Celtic are able to improve upon that or not. But staying in Europe after Christmas would be a big ask of this team but at the same time, it is not something that is impossible or has not happened in the past.

In fact, that might be the perfect target for them. Making it out of the Champions League group and into the knockout phase of the competition would have to be considered as a major success. But even finishing third in the group and dropping down to the Europa League would be a positive outcome.