‘It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both’. The famous Nicollo Machiavelli quote will ring true when Celtic return to battle amongst the European elite next week.
The prestige of competing in the Champions League is renowned but the time has arrived for opposition to fear visiting Parkhead, rather than welcoming it. From Maldini to Messi, some of the biggest names in the game have developed a soft spot for Celtic, especially due to the wonderment that arrives from the special atmosphere created under the lights at the famous Glasgow venue.
For all the plaudits Celtic received for their style of football in the group stages last season, Ange Postecoglou’s side finished with just two points and exited the European stage completely.
It was the only black mark against Postecoglou’s dazzling tenure, but Brendan Rodgers can resonate with his predecessor. Despite enjoying unprecedented domestic dominance during his first spell as Celtic boss, Rodgers failed to achieve progression into the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition.
It was extremely telling that Rodgers, upon his return to Celtic, repeatedly stressed the importance of being successful in Europe.
The Northern Irishman will lead his side out in Rotterdam on Tuesday with the discerning voices already sceptical about Celtic’s prospects of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in over a decade.
Rodgers is under no illusions of the enormity of the task ahead, but he will be empowered to silence the critics to develop Celitc into a club that some may love, but also fear.
“Can we surprise them? I would think so,” Rodgers replied when asked about critics writing Celtic off. “I haven’t seen the comments but we will always be underdogs for some.
“We are the pot four team. Obviously, we are a huge club with a tremendous history, but people who don’t know that will just see it as a pot-four team from a smaller country.That’s the beauty of it. That could be the surprise element we bring to games.
“People might not expect us to be as good as we can be. We’ll go into every game with the mentality to fight, to be competitive and organised, and to play to the level we want to.
“We will certainly go in with no fear. We are looking forward to it. We are taking on the best teams in Europe, and that’s a great challenge from a players and coaching perspective.
“It’s always exciting. We want to make sure we are as competitive as we can be. This game is all about levels and we are going up a few notches.
“That is the challenge in itself. Everything is that bit quicker and faster, teams are technically very strong. It’s a real test.
“But that is what you want. That is why the players worked so hard last season to win the league because they knew they could qualify straight into this competition.
“It’s the best competition to be in. There will no doubt be challenges – and difficulties – along the way, but we will do everything we can to overcome them.”
Feyenoord, Lazio and Atletico Madrid await in a tricky group and Celtic will,understandably, be underdogs against sides with far superior European records in recent years.
There was optimism last season that Postecoglou could guide Celtic to the knockout stages but the campaign ended in disappointment.
Postecoglou refused to abandon his principles against top-class opposition and while Celtic played well in spells - especially against Real Madrid - they were ultimately naive and finished bottom of their group with just two points.
Lessons need to be learned from those pitfalls if Rodgers wants to emulate Neil Lennon’s achievements during the 2012/13 campaign. Tony Watt’s winning goal against Barcelona during that campaign will forever be etched in the history books and Rodgers hopes Celtic can defy the odds again.
Asked whether Celtic can even surprise their own fans, Rodgers replied: “Yeah. The glue that keeps us together is personality and togetherness. What we are bringing is the strength of the team.
“Even though there are players missing, the ones coming in will understand what they need to do. That togetherness can really help. It’s a very tough level to go in and compete but it’s a brilliant challenge. We will go into it with no fear."
The Champions League provides the optimum platform for players to become heroes and that opportunity will likely arrive for some new arrivals.
Liel Abada has cemented his place as an integral part of Rodgers’ plans after a summer of uncertainty, but others will need to step up due to his unfortunate absence.
The Israeli has been ruled out for around four months after sustaining a thigh injury during the international break. Hyunjun Yang has impressed during his cameos since his summer arrival, while fellow new signing Luis Palma is viewed as a huge talent.
Both players could potentially deputise with Abada ruled out for the entirety of the group stages and Rodgers insists it provides a great incentive to the youngsters.
“We have players coming into the squad who are new,” Rodgers said. “It’s unfortunate when someone misses out through injury but it provides an opportunity for someone else.
“Whoever that is, you want them to take that opportunity and come in and play and perform.
“It’s not until you are here you realise the level of expectation and the mental fortitude you need to play at this club.
‘It’s not unique, because big clubs have that, but certainly up here, there’s an extra dimension to it.
“You understand that pressure in your time here. They will learn they are at a club where the challenge is not just to win, but to win with a style.
“That is what symbolised the club. It’s also what’s great about having young players who are hungry, they want to prove a point and will do so without any fear.
“They get a good induction about what it entails to be a Celtic player and they will have done their homework anyway.”
Celtic welcome Dundee to Parkhead this afternoon before they fully turn their attention to Feyenoord on Tuesday night. Rodgers’ side opened up a four-point gap to rivals Rangers with victory in the first Old Firm of the season before the international break.
While the midweek trip to Rotterdam will factor in Rodgers’ team selection against Dundee, the Celtic boss is refusing to underestimate Tony Docherty’s side.
“It has to be on my mind,” Rodgers admitted on the trip to Rotterdam. “I know it has to be on the team for Tuesday, and then working out game time for players who I might need to be ready. There’s a lot to consider.
“I expect Tony’s team to be well organised. I’ve seen their games and they have been unfortunate in some of those not to have got better results.
“It’ll be a tough game for us, but that’s what you expect. You have to focus on yourselves, do your work well and hopefully get the three points.”
