My Bhoys entitled to nothing in Europe

RODGERS SAYS CELTIC ARE A BIG CLUB BUT HAVE NO DIVINE RIGHT TO REACH THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUPS

BRENDAN RODGERS insists Celtic are entitled to nothing when it comes to the Champions League.

But, having not failed once in a qualifier over his two storming terms in charge, the Parkhead boss admits that earning a group stage hat-trick would mark another fantastic chapter in his reign.

Back in 2016, Celtic arrived in the Promised Land via Gibraltar, Kazakhstan and Israel.

Last term, it was by the routes of Belfast, Trondheim and Kazakhstan again.

This time, the campaign gets going in Yerevan in the searing heat of the Armenian capital.

By now, Rodgers and his players are comfortable with the challenges and the high-risk scenarios facing them.

However, while these qualities are hugely beneficial, the manager is also at pains to suggest that status and past events don’t matter for too much right now.

Celtic are expected to coast beyond FC Alashkert but Rodgers says any progress through this tie – and the next three potential rounds which need to be faced – will only come through graft and not reputation or past achievement. He said: “I think year on year, we’ve got better at it. It was only really the 20-minute period away in Astana last year where we found it difficult.

“Apart from that, the players throughout all the games have been very, very good.

“This year we go into it again but you’re not entitled to qualify. You have to earn the right and that’s something we always speak about.

“I think Celtic throughout Europe is respected as a football club because of its history and support-base.

“We’ve had a good couple of seasons here with this group of players. We understand that it’s never easy but, as long as we stay calm and focus on our own game while respecting the other team, that always gives us a good chance.

“We’ll work hard over this phase of the qualification to get through. You always know there will be hairy moments along the way but we want to be in it. Potentially we have a hectic schedule of games ahead of us but it’s where the competition is.

“We’re proud to be in it, we earned the right to be in it and we’re working to, hopefully, qualify again. To do three on the spin would be absolutely brilliant.”

Alashkert will, of course, provide their own tricky test. Champions of Armenia in each of the past three seasons, the team sank St Johnstone in the Europa League three years ago and have improved since.

Alashkert have switched the game from their own smaller ground to the 15,000 -capaity Vazgen Sargsyan National Stadium in Yerevan and will sling the doors open for supporters to enter free of charge to pack the place and build an atmosphere.

With a team also including five new signings and uncomfortable temperatures for the Celtic players, there are enough obstacles to demand full concentration.

And Rodgers admitted: “In the conditions here, you are not going to be smashing it up the pitch and chasing after it. They want to look after the ball, that’s their nature. With the time of the season and the conditions, it’s a challenge.

“But you always have to respect any team which is champion of their country. They have been for the last three seasons and you have to respect that and respect they have good players.

“They went to the second round last year and we’ve watched some of that game against BATE Borisov. You need to be ready and prepared, especially in these dangerous qualification games.”