Brendan Rodgers believes that his squad are two elements away from being a success in the Champions League.
Experience and luck.
Tonight’s task in Monchengladbach looked difficult enough without having to leave Jozo Simunovic, Kolo Toure and Leigh Griffiths behind in Glasgow.
Celtic’s striking hopes are dependent on a 20-year-old who was playing for Fulham last year while the full-backs have started less than half a dozen SPFL matches this season.
Experience can only be earned but being drawn alongside sides from Spain, Germany and England while losing two key central defenders is something that few managers or squads can plan for.
It could be as sore one tonight in Germany but as he looks forward Rodgers is confident that his Celtic side are moving towards competing with the best and qualifying out of the group phase of the Champions League.
Asked last night if he could see Celtic getting out of their group within the next two or three years the Irishman said: “I would hope so yes, that’s the process we’re beginning.
“This is what this experience of this competition has given us, the chance to build towards that.
“The huge improvement that’s been made domestically is a huge credit to the players and how well they’ve worked and how hard they’ve worked. And it’s step by step.
“They’ve arrived into this level, in the toughest group in the competition and of course it’s been difficult for them. We don’t see it as a threat. It’s a major challenge for us but it’s a great challenge to have.
“Each year we can arrive here we can improve on it and hopefully get to the latter stages consistently. Let’s see how the next game goes and take it from there.”
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