The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Improved Celtic set out to prove it
Rodgers urges his side to build on thrilling draw with Manchester City
Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic have become a better side since facing Manchester City and is looking for confirmation tonight against Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Hoops go into their Champions League clash with the German side unbeaten domestically and hugely encouraged by the 3-3 home draw against the Premier League superstars last month.
Celtic have one point from two Group C fixtures while the Bundesliga outfit are yet to get off the mark after defeats by City and Barcelona.
Rodgers is looking for his side to show their recent improvement and get the win that would put them in the driving seat for a Europa League spot at least.
“Since we played against Manchester City we are a better team and we are getting better as each day goes on,” said the Northern Irishman.
“The younger players are gaining experience and this type of occasion will benefit the players.
“But of course we’re here to win and in our home games we want to ensure we get a victory.
“We always felt it would be fantastic if we could be in European football after Christmas.
“In a very short period of time the players have made great strides and this competition was always going to help us on the journey developing players.
“That will take time but you saw the performance against Man City, it was a real high level.
“Obviously, we were disappointed we didn’t get the win in the end but the performance level was particularly pleasing.
“We showed we can compete at this level and you have to show that you can back that up and tomorrow will be another brilliant game.
“We have to set the tone for the supporters who are amazing and hopefully we will get the three points which would be a good return for us.”
Hoops fans can be all but sure of another exhilarating European night with the former Swansea and Liverpool boss saying: “There is an obligation here as Celtic manager.
“I feel a responsibility to put out a team that plays with power, speed, creativity and unpredictability and that is what we are heading towards.
“We have players at the moment who are doing fantastic in this early part of the season but we are looking to develop that while having that improvisation and invention that I like in the team.
“But certainly up until now the players couldn’t have done any more.”
Danish defender Erik Sviatchenko believes the crowd can play their part.
He said: “When players and teams come here they need to be frightened.
“To draw a parallel to the City game you could see that they were struggling even though they are really big stars.
“So we will do our best to create that intensity in the game tomorrow and with the fans this combination will be good.
“My first experience against City in this tournament was really big, imagine being on the opposition side, feeling that pressure, especially in the last couple of minutes of the game when we needed their help?
“They were really helping us so if they can put in a performance like the last time, Gladbach will be a bit frightened.
“I think Monchengladbach might know that this place is difficult to play in anyway.
“If they were thinking that it was an easy game before the City game I think they will be a bit surprised because every game is a difficult game.”
Defender Mikael Lustig and midfielder Nir Bitton return to the Celtic squad after missing the home league win over Motherwell on Saturday.
Both returned from the international break with Sweden and Israel respectively carrying knocks.
Midfielder Tom Rogic was rested after a long journey back from duty with Australia and he too is back.
It was confirmed on the German club’s official Twitter account that attackers Raffael, Thorgan Hazard and Fabian Johnson as well as on-loan Chelsea defender Andreas Christiansen are out of the Parkhead game.
Boss Andre Schubert is still confident he has enough in his squad to get a positive result.
Speaking through an interpreter, he said: “It is always going to be difficult without certain key players, especially the best scorers and players in defence.
“But we have good players to come in and we believe they can do well. Hopefully we can get an excellent result.”