Brendan Rodgers insists he has ‘no doubt’ that Celtic are ready to end a seven-year spell of barrenness and win the Champions League away from home again.
The Scottish champions have not recorded an away triumph in the tournament’s group stages since a 3-0 win against Anderlecht during the Northern Irishman’s first spell in charge in 2017.
After seeing Celtic enter the tournament last season without picking up enough points to progress, Rodgers’ new-look side have collected eight points from five games this time around ahead of tomorrow’s crucial match against Dinamo Zagreb.
Knowing that a win will secure a place in the play-off round with two games remaining, the manager believes the team is now ready to build on the point they achieved in Bergamo against Atalanta by going one step further in the Croatian capital.
“We have been working towards performance levels and results and this year we have generally been quite consistent in that,” he said.
‘To win away from home, you know what it means for the supporters, but also what the points are.
Brendan Rodgers says an away win is the next step for Celtic in the Champions League
Rodgers says he has ‘no doubt’ his team is ready to seize the opportunity in Zagreb
Celtic’s manager confirmed that all his players are fit and available for the match in Croatia
‘And you know that an away win at any level, but especially in the Champions League, is a difficult challenge, but one that gives a very good feeling.
‘So this is the next step for us. You go to Atalanta and you defend like we did there, that gives you a lot of confidence when you know that you can go to any stadium and defend well.
“For us, we’re hoping that we can bring our offense into the game as well, and we know that if we do that, it will give us a chance to get that win. You know what it takes.”
Asked whether he felt the team had now progressed to the point where a repeat of that famous night in Brussels seemed possible, Rodgers said: ‘I don’t think there’s any doubt.
“I think now with this group and this team over the last fifteen, sixteen months, whatever it is, I feel like we’re in a really, really good place and I know we can get into these games now we have achieved some great successes. achievements that we believe can bring us great results at this level.
‘So yes, after the victory in Anderlecht it was a great evening for the team and the support.
‘We want to give ourselves the best chances we can and to do that we have to try to win our next game and that is away from home. That’s why we want to seize that opportunity.’
With 10 points believed to be the required number to reach the play-offs, Rodgers does not believe he will have to emphasize the importance of backing up home wins against Slovan Bratislava and RB Leipzig with a third victory this year.
“They all felt very big in this competition,” he emphasized. “I think this is what we’re excited about: we have a great opportunity tomorrow night. So yes, we are happy with this opportunity.’
Unlike the injury-plagued Dinamo team, Rodgers has no concerns about the squad. “Everyone is fit and available,” he said.
Meanwhile, Celtic have warned traveling supporters to be vigilant in Zagreb after revealing a number had been attacked ahead of the match.
“Unfortunately, we are aware of a number of incidents involving Celtic supporters being targeted in Zagreb,” the statement said.
‘We are currently reaching out to these affected fans and will provide all possible support and assistance.
“Clearly we would ask all our traveling supporters to be vigilant.”