Godwin ObajeBrendan Rodgers is aiming high for Celtic’s future in European football, asserting that there are no limits to what he believes the team can achieve, particularly in the UEFA Champions League. The manager, who recently led the team to yet another Scottish Premiership title, made it clear that the club’s ambitions for the upcoming season are firmly focused on pushing further in Europe’s premier club competition, following their most successful Champions League run in over a decade.
Celtic are on the brink of clinching another Treble, with the team having already secured the Premiership title and now preparing for the Scottish Cup final. If they succeed in the final, they will have won a remarkable domestic treble for the season. But it’s in Europe, where Rodgers sees the most room for growth and potential, that the manager is aiming to make the most significant strides.
A Historic European Campaign
This season, Celtic reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since 2013. Despite their progress, they came up agonizingly short in the Round of 16, narrowly losing to Bayern Munich in a tense, high-stakes encounter. The two teams were neck-and-neck over both legs of the tie, and Celtic’s European adventure came to an end with a heartbreaking 94th-minute goal by Bayern’s Alphonso Davies in the second leg in Germany.
However, despite the disappointment, Rodgers was keen to highlight the positives from the campaign. He reflected on the level of competition and the team’s performances, which saw Celtic push one of Europe’s giants to the brink. “We had a great feeling, we saw how close we ran Bayern Munich over two legs,” he said. “That will hopefully give us a good feeling and we have to continue to recruit good players that allow us to grow and develop at that level.”
For Rodgers, the experience of playing at the highest level and coming so close to causing an upset is something that can propel Celtic forward. “The performance levels in some of those games were absolutely great,” he noted, praising the determination and quality of his squad. “It felt really good this year.”
Despite the setback, the focus for Celtic is clear. Rodgers doesn’t want to put any restrictions on what the club can achieve next season. “Yeah, you have to dream of that,” he said when asked about the prospect of going further in the Champions League next season. “I don’t think we can put any sort of barriers on what it is we want to achieve. But you have to be realistic as well.”
Building for the Future
The key to achieving their European dreams, Rodgers believes, lies in continuous growth and the strategic addition of high-quality players. Celtic’s recruitment in recent years has been well-documented, with Rodgers having emphasized the need for a combination of young talent and experienced heads to ensure the squad is competitive on both the domestic and European fronts.
As Celtic heads into the summer transfer window, Rodgers is expected to continue his work with the club’s scouting team, aiming to identify players who can elevate the team’s European aspirations. The challenge, however, is to attract the type of player who can make an impact at the highest level while still staying within the club’s financial parameters.
But it’s not just about spending money. Rodgers has always placed a premium on developing young talent and ensuring that Celtic’s academy continues to produce players capable of stepping up when called upon. The club’s continued success in the domestic league, as well as their foray into Europe, is the perfect platform for these young players to develop their game.
“We have to keep building the squad, bringing in players who can make a difference and who have that quality to compete in the Champions League,” Rodgers explained. “It’s about getting the balance right between the experienced players who can handle that level and the younger ones who can step up.”
Celtic’s Growing Influence in Europe
The growing competitiveness of the Scottish Premiership, with Celtic as the standard-bearers, is also something that Rodgers has been keen to highlight as the club’s Champions League ambitions develop. The strength of the Scottish league, combined with Celtic’s dominance domestically, allows the club to build the right mentality, one of constant improvement.
Rodgers, who has become a revered figure in Scottish football, believes Celtic’s increasing experience in Europe will play a crucial role in their future success. After years of relative underachievement in European competitions, Celtic’s recent foray into the knockout stages has re-established the club as a serious player in the European landscape.
“The next phase will be seeing if we can continue with the impact in Europe,” he said. “It’s about taking that next step and making sure we don’t just have a one-off season where we reach the knockout rounds but rather consistently build from there.”
As Rodgers looks to the future, it is clear that Celtic’s ambitions extend far beyond domestic dominance. The Champions League is now firmly in their sights, and the challenge for Celtic is to continue improving, both in terms of squad depth and overall quality.
The Domestic Focus
While Celtic’s European aspirations are a key focus for Rodgers, he has not lost sight of the importance of domestic competitions. The Hoops’ pursuit of a domestic Treble this season is a reminder of the club’s ongoing supremacy in Scotland. However, Rodgers is keenly aware of the need to maintain a competitive edge domestically even as the club expands its horizons in Europe.
“We have to keep pushing ourselves in the league as well,” he said. “The domestic competition is important because it gives us the foundation to build from. Without winning trophies at home, it becomes harder to build that European success. But we also have to make sure that we’re not losing focus on the bigger picture. Success in Europe is what will ultimately elevate Celtic to the next level.”
Having already secured the Scottish Premiership title for the season, Celtic are now gearing up for the Scottish Cup final. Victory in that final would cap off another remarkable domestic campaign, but Rodgers knows that his long-term legacy will likely be shaped by how well Celtic can perform on the European stage in the coming years.
Rodgers’ Vision for Celtic’s Future
Rodgers has been at the helm of Celtic during a period of significant growth and success. Under his leadership, the club has not only been a force in Scottish football but also made strides in Europe, which had been a long-standing challenge for Celtic. His vision for the club is one of continual improvement, with a focus on player development, recruitment, and European competition.
With an ever-improving squad and a clear ambition to compete at the top level in Europe, Celtic are well-positioned to build on their current successes. The challenges will only increase as they face stiffer competition in the Champions League, but Rodgers’ unwavering belief in his players and his ability to inspire growth and success provides Celtic with the best possible chance of reaching new heights.
As he looks ahead to next season, Rodgers remains confident that Celtic can continue their upward trajectory. “We’ve shown we can compete at the highest level,” he said. “Now it’s about taking that next step and ensuring we’re consistently challenging for trophies, both domestically and in Europe.”
With a talented squad, an experienced manager, and a growing sense of confidence, Celtic’s future looks brighter than ever as they aim to not only dominate Scottish football but also make a sustained impact on the European stage. The journey may be long, but under Brendan Rodgers’ leadership, there is no telling how far Celtic can go.
Godwin Obaje
