STOCK UP ON SILVER POLISH Casement says Blues can fill trophy cabinet next season

LINFIELD star Chris Casement insists the Blues can focus on winning more domestic trophies after their Champions League adventure against Celtic.

While the Blues lost 4-0 on Wednesday at Parkhead and 6-0 on aggregate to Brendan Rodgers’ side in the second round qualifier, for Casement and his team-mates it was still an incredible experience which he hopes to repeat in the future.

With Celtic hot favourites to win the Scottish Premiership and return to the Champions League next season, Linfield will have to retain the Irish League title to join them.

Casement, who was back in work at his dad’s shop the day after the game at Parkhead, said:

“It will be back to the bread and butter of the league for us now but our games against Celtic will stand us in good stead as we can adopt different tactical plans and we know our sharpness has improved. The manager has good options in terms of personnel and tactics.

“The players now know what they can do against that level of opposition. That can only benefit us both individually and collectively.

“Our fitness levels over the two legs were fantastic and we kept going right to the end. I think we matched them for fitness but they have a higher standard of player obviously. We can hold our heads high and now focus on winning more trophies.”

Casement had to go toe to toe with the electric Scott Sinclair, who scored twice at a packed Parkhead.

He said: “Scott Sinclair is a brilliant player, very sharp particularly over those first five yards and his decision making in the final third is really good. Their players are at such a high level that for us it was a great learning experience.

“It’s unlikely but you never know in football, strange things can happen and we could be back at Parkhead. In terms of the atmosphere it can’t get much better.

“Our fans were brilliant and they backed us right to the end. They were loud from one hour before kick off and I know the players appreciated that backing.

“They were a credit to themselves and the club, travelling in big numbers and making themselves heard.

“It was a brilliant experience, the best moments of my life and career. Playing against players of that calibre and at Parkhead was very special.

“Celtic are a top class side with a manager who has incredible experience and for us to compete at that level was an unbelievable feeling. They are the best team I have played against but Celtic as a club were very professional and they treated us with huge respect. Their staff and security personnel were top notch and made the game more enjoyable.

“I got Leigh Griffiths’ shirt which I was pleased about because I know him from playing together at Dundee. He’s a quality player in a team full of them. “

Blues’ Chris Casement was impressed with Scott Sinclair