Sunderland Echo

Rodgers hopes to add to squad to boost Celtic’s Euro quest

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Brendan Rodgers is hoping to add to his Celtic squad before they face Astana in next week’s Champions League third-round qualifier.

The Hoops got through to the next stage with a 3-0 win over part-timers Lincoln Red Imps at Parkhead, completing a 3-1 aggregate win.

Three first-half goals from defender Mikael Lustig, striker Leigh Griffiths and winger Patrick Roberts settled the tie before the break with the second half a mere formality.

Rodgers was pleased to get past the Gibraltari­ans and will look to bolster his options before tonight’s deadline, and before the long trip to Kazakhstan.

Asked how realistic the prospect of signing some new players would be, he said: “Hopefully, that is what we are looking at.

“There is no doubt we need one or two more in that I want to bring into the team so let’s hope we can do something before that (window) closes tomorrow.

“That would be the plan, hopefully we could do that and that would be a great boost to the squad.”

When asked about the travel difficulti­es of getting to Kazakhstan with a team still working on its fitness, the former Liverpool boss, tongue firmly in cheek, said: “I mentioned it the other day to some of the guys.

“Apart from the six-hour flight, and the five-hour time difference and the 35 degree heat and the plastic pitch with no water, it should be all right.

“But it is what is thrown at us. I think you just need to adjust, we will probably fly out on the Monday, the game is on the Wednesday and just prepare the best we can.”

 ??  ?? Charles N’Zogbia in action for Sunderland last night
Charles N’Zogbia in action for Sunderland last night

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