Brendan knows that the Hoops’ best might not be good enough
Brendan Rodgers has warned Celtic fans even his players’ very best efforts might not be enough to carry the club through to the Europa League knockout stages.
Back to their best domestically, the Hoops return to Continental action on Thursday when they welcome Leipzig to Celtic Park.
But after defeats to the Germans and Red Bull Salzburg already in the group, their manager says the fact his side need to win doesn’t necessarily mean they will.
“It will be full pelt – but full pelt still might not be good enough for us,” said the Northern Irishman.
“What I do know is that the players who are fit and available will give their all, and it is up to the coach and staff to prepare them to try to win the game.”
It is an irony of the way modern club competition is set up that Celtic have been unfortunate to find themselves paired with two teams (Leipzig and Salzburg) who are stronger than AEK Athens, the team they failed to beat in their Champions League play-off.
“There is no question that is the case,” said Rodgers.
“They are two top teams. Why are they in the Europa? That is for governing bodies to decide in terms of which countries are eligible for automatic places.
“I know just now they are talking about Austria getting another one. That is where we are and we have
to get on with it. But a win on Thursday keeps us alive.
“We know it’s difficult, but we go into the game with a confidence, and it’s about imposing our way of playing. And if we can do that and are really aggressive, then we’ll always have a chance with that support behind us.”
The underlying story, of course, is of Celtic being handicapped in Europe this season by the failures of the summer.
Moussa Dembele departed, John Mcginn became the one that got away when leaving for Aston Villa and Dedryck Boyata effectively downed tools.
“It wasn’t an ideal summer. I don’t want to keep harping on about it, but we lost a number of players,” said Rodgers.
“We were probably all frustrated in the summer after the Double Treble and two Champions Leagues.
“You always hope that you can replace. If you don’t, you are at a different start point then. That’s where we were in the summer.
“We built for two years and, then, we change. It changes. Now, for me, probably, I see that a lot clearer in terms of actually where it is at.
“We were growing and developing from the first year in the Champions League to the second, where we came out of the group and went into the Europa.
“We would love to say that you keep that group of players together and you add those few bits of quality. But, of course, you are losing big quality.
“Naturally, when you lose players, which every manager here has always done, you have to try to find a way to keep moving on.
“For me, I’ve seen strides in individual players and that is what I look at. The team.
“I am here and happy in my work and my life. I know what the constraints are.
“My duty is to the fans. To give them the best team we possibly can. Whether that satisfies some who think we can win the Champions League or win the Europa League, I don’t know.
“I’ve always said that you can never satisfy everyone.”
RB Leipzig have suffered a major blow ahead of their trip to Scotland after wide man Emil Forsberg was ruled out with a groin strain.
And there is also a doubt over Jean-kevin Augustin.