GROUP B
For Brendan Rodgers and Celtic, small steps can bring big rewards.
If they can achieve what would be only their second victory in their last ten Champions League group stage home fixtures tonight, it will earn them both a place in the last 32 of the Europa League and a cool two million Euros (£880,000) in Uefa prize money – a €1.5 million single win bonus plus €500,000 for making it to the knockout stage of the secondary tournament – for just one night’s work.
Adding to the growing pot which makes participating at this level of competition so significant for Celtic is of secondary importance to manager Rodgers. His focus is firmly fixed on seeing further development and progress from his players on the continental stage, something making it into next Monday’s Europa League knockout phase draw would represent in his eyes.
But Rodgers knows the extra cash won’t do any harm as he looks to enhance his squad with some new additions during next month’s transfer window.
“It will help budget-wise, of course, although I haven’t really thought about that,” said Rodgers. “I’m the football man. You are getting some extra games which you may not have budgeted for. So I’m sure revenue-wise it will help. If you can go on as far as you can in the tournament, it’s all the better for you.
“We are very clear in what we want to do in January. We are really happy with the squad of players but you need to strengthen when you are in these moments. There is still top quality we want to bring in. If we can afford and it’s available, that’s what we’ll look to do.”
The Scottish champions must first of all take care of business against Anderlecht at Celtic Park this evening where only a 3-0 defeat or worse could see them edged out of third place in Group B behind the heavyweight duo of Paris Saint-germain and Bayern Munich.
Rodgers is keen to finish the job in style by delivering a first home victory at this stage of the Champions League in four years.
“We want to win for the supporters,” he added. “That is our message going into the game. We have been in two Champions League group campaigns now and we want to get a home victory. We have had good performances against top teams and obviously of course we have learned a lot of lessons and valuable lessons.
“We had a great result away to Anderlecht, played very well and won 3-0. Now it would be nice to finish off our Champions League campaign with a great night and a great result.
“I’ve been really pleased with a lot of elements of how we have approached it this year. It’s a huge task for us to get there. “It might mean nothing, because most people only look at the scoreline, but I looked at our numbers after we lost 7-1 to PSG away from home. “When I dig deeper and look inside it, we made over 400 passes in that game. In the game away to Barcelona the previous year, when we lost 7-0, we only had around 150 passes.
“So that told me a story about the belief of the players in their improvement at this level. What doesn’t change is the quality of your opponents, of course.
“But it’s allowed me to say ‘OK, we are getting a greater belief to play in these arenas’. You have to defend a little better than we did and hope the opponent has an off night.
“For us to get a victory away at Anderlecht previously was important for our confidence. Tactically and technically, the players were excellent in the last home game against Bayern Munich. In the coming years, we have to see some of these games through so we can get a result on the back of a good performance.” Rodgers hopes to see James Forrest, already an early contender for Player of the Year honours, maintain his outstanding current form tonight. The winger shone in Celtic’s last home Champions League game against Bayern Munich and his manager feels he can thrive at the highest level.
“He’s been absolutely brilliant,” said Rodgers. “He is into double figures for goals for the first time. Heisaplayerwhocangetbetween 15 and 20 goals over a season.
“Against Bayern at home, he was sensational really. He’s one of the best I’ve ever worked with in terms of taking the ball so tight to the line. He has the ability to beat people on the inside or outside and he’s also got different ways of finishing.
“He just has to ensure he stays at this high level. Wingers are so important at this level. They can’t afford to switch off. Tactically, they have to participate in the game all the time.
“Sometimes you can get away with turning the engine off domestically, you can’t at this level. That’s one of the big things he has improved, his concentration level. His pressing, hunger and desire to get the ball is great, then it gets him into areas where he can show his quality.