These at Celtic who know their current European historical past won’t be counting their chickens however the Champions League draw, and the schedule of fixtures, have given Brendan Rodgers’ aspect a wonderful alternative to start this event with a bang for a change.
It’s a probability they dare not miss. In their very own place, Celtic ought to be too good for Slovan.
The type of Rodgers’ crew is encouraging. They’re enjoying at a better tempo than final season, their urgent sport, work-rate and creativity look good. They’ve signed nicely. They’ve a little bit of a strut about them.
The caveat is we’re judging them on home type, a barometer that has blown up in everyone’s face previously.
Are Celtic greater than mere flat-track bullies? We’re about to get some solutions in Europe. That is their testing floor, not Scotland the place they’re odds-on to skate away with the Premiership. The Champions League will present Celtic’s price and certainly, Rodgers’ price.
Together with his home dominance he has written his title into the material of the membership however Rodgers’ document with Celtic in Europe is poor. He is been supervisor in 18 Champions League group video games, successful two, shedding 12 and drawing 4.
His crew has scored 15 objectives with 49 conceded. In amongst that lot, there are 5-0, 6-0, 7-0 and 7-1 defeats. The unusual paradox is that lots of the worst European leads to Celtic’s historical past have come below one in every of their most convincing leaders.
If you embrace Europa League video games, Rodgers’ European document at Celtic is six gained, 18 misplaced and 4 drawn (of the 28 performed). Rodgers has talked about his need to enhance on that. Deep down you sense it isn’t only a want however a raging ambition to make Celtic related in Europe once more.
Till they do one thing about it, their failures will likely be thrown of their face. There have been many matches no one anticipated Celtic to win however there are others they may have gained however didn’t, for numerous causes.
These are the teachings they need to be taught for this marketing campaign. Self-discipline, focus, ruthlessness. Uncover their interior canine. A rottweiler fairly than a poodle.