Celts should be with elite, says Rodgers

BRENDAN RODGERS insists Celtic have earned the right to a seat at the Champions League top table despite attempts to make qualification more difficult for Europe’s lesser lights. Speaking ahead of tonight’s play-off first leg against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, the Parkhead boss expressed concern at UEFA

plans to head off a super league by offering guaranteed qualification to four clubs from the top four leagues in England, Spain, Germany and Italy. A meeting of UEFA’s Executive Committee is expected to seal the move on September 14/15. Insisting cash should not be the only entry criteria to the Champions League, however, Rodgers said: ‘I think for European football, they need the big clubs in there. But Celtic is a big club, a huge club. ‘The competition is a better place for clubs such as Celtic and Ajax, teams with this great history of the European Cup and Champions League. I can understand there will be powers-that-be who want these clubs in there, but Celtic has the right to be in there. ‘If we are fighting and are champions, then we have every right to be in there. ‘It’s not just for the club, it is for the opposition as well because for them to come to Celtic Park is an experience many great players over the years have spoken about. ‘It is one of the best experiences they have ever had. ‘So, European football deserves Celtic at the top table. ‘OK, there obviously has to be conditions for them (the other clubs) to get there, as well. ‘I understand and respect the money in England. ‘I was a part of it for a number of years. I see where that’s at. ‘But surely it’s not all about the money. It’s about the prestige and there has to be a door open, and a door wide enough for the type of club like Celtic, and the great historical clubs of European football.’ With £20million on the line for advancing past the champions of Israel, the stakes for Celtic are already high. ‘There are many reasons why we want to be in there,’ said Rodgers. ‘I think it helps us in our standing as a nation here in Scotland. ‘With how it has worked over the last couple of years, things have come down a little bit in terms of all the seedings you get. For us, we see it as an obligation of the big club to make that step in.’