Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has warned the club’s fans not to underestimate their UEFA Champions League opponents.
The draw for the brand-new league phase of the competition was carried out in Monaco yesterday and left many supporters excited.
The Hoops will face RB Leipzig, Club Brugge, Slovan Bratislava, and Young Boys at Parkhead while they travel to Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Aston Villa, and Dinamo Zagreb.
On paper, the draw is one of the kindest the Celts could have got, but boss Rodgers has warned against complacency.
He said (Celtic FC on YouTube): “The key thing is not to underestimate and not to assume that because we’re playing Club Brugge that there are maybe not good players in there, or Red Bull Leipzig.
“Okay, you might not be playing the team that’s won it 14 times (Real Madrid), but it doesn’t mean the other teams aren’t very good.
“But it does give us that confidence. I think now in our game and our model and how we’re developing it gives us a real opportunity to make a mark at that level.”
Celtic fans are desperate for some form of European prosperity.
Although the Bhoys secured a long-awaited home Champions League victory last season, the Parkhead faithful want to see progression beyond the initial stage of the competition.
It certainly feels like that could be possible this season, and the manager aims to finish in a place which secures a last-16 play-off.
Particularly because of the new format, it will be intriguing to see how things pan out in Europe this term.
