ALL ABOUT PRESTIGE FOR CELTS
playing well. There are not so many who go into a game and think that’s why they want to win.
“At this level it’s for a love of football and love of the game – for the spirit of the game and to perform.
“If you get the result there is a consequence for that and for them that seems quite nice.”
Celtic have not qualified for European football after Christmas since 2015 when they lost to Inter Milan in the last 32 of the Europa League under Ronny Deila.
They didn’t emerge from their Europa League or Champions League group stages in the subsequent two seasons but Rodgers is determined to impact beyond Christmas.
He added: “Every game we play is a pressure game because we put that pressure on ourselves.
“But pressure also comes with playing for a prestige club such as Celtic.
“Over the course of the next few years we want the name of Celtic, and for the representation of Scotland, to go as far as we possibly can. We know how difficult it is but that shouldn’t stop us looking to fight for that.
“That’s something we want to be able to do. If we can carry the team and carry the club into those latter stages then, of course, there are many benefits from that.”
Celtic are on a 57-game unbeaten domestic run but the Belgian champions are in some disarray after axing Swiss boss Rene Weiler and putting interim Nicolas Frutos in charge.
They are seventh in their domestic league at the moment and are looking for redemption at Champions League level, where rivals Club Brugge failed to win a single point last season.
Rodgers added: “A positive result for us is important. Our plan is to win the game.
“If it ends in a draw and that’s where we’re at, then there are still other games in the group where, you just never know, you can then pick up points.
“I watched Bayern Munich last week against Wolfsburg and they looked comfortable at 2-0 up.
“Most people watching it might have thought it would have ended up four or five. But the opponent came back and drew 2-2, which was unexpected. You just never know where the points will come from.
“If you are solely looking at the games against Anderlecht then to get a win or a draw here – and the other games in the group map out as people think – then that leaves you with a home game against Anderlecht to try to progress. You’d be happy with that.”
Celtic full-back Anthony Ralston is available for selection tonight but will be rested during international week in a bid to allow a persistent but minor knee injury to settle.