The start of Celtic’s Champions League journey is just around the corner, with Feyenoord awaiting Brendan Rodgers’ side in their opening match.

Celtic find themselves in a challenging group. As the Pot 4 team, top sides like Lazio, Feyenoord, and Atletico Madrid are expected to aim for maximum points against the Scottish champions. Nevertheless, Celtic’s fans are optimistic, holding aspirations of a third-place group finish to ensure continued European football post-Christmas.

Brendan Rodgers previously had mixed fortunes in European competitions during his tenure. This time around, he’s keen to make a significant impact on the European stage with a robust Celtic side.

He’s got signings in the door now and has some time to work with his players during the international break before quite a hectic schedule hits the Hoops.

Celtic’s atmospheric prowess during European nights has often been the talk of the town, almost akin to an additional player on the field, commonly referred to as the ’12th man.’

Discussing the Champions League challenge on TalkSPORT, Rodgers remarked:

“It’s what it’s about. The football challenge of the Champions League is huge but the supporters will go to fantastic cities and they go in numbers.

“It’s always going to be a challenge for Scottish teams in there. We know the numbers involved economically in the strongest leagues but you want to show you’re competitive and can go and compete and that’s what we’ll aim to do. The group gives us a fighting chance but the teams in there are very good.

“We aim to be competitive. The atmosphere up here is incredible. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in Liverpool Man United games and Liverpool and Everton but there’s nothing like Celtic and Rangers games and then atmospheres teams create up here. Home games in the Champions League are incredible. I can’t wait for it.”