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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Macdonald

Rodgers details Celtic Champions League aims as he pinpoints 'competitive' factor

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has maintained that the Hoops "aim to be competitive" in the Champions League.

The Parkhead club were drawn in a group containing Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid and Lazio.

And Rodgers feels that while it will be a tough challenge he is hoping the team can go and compete.

He told talkSPORT: "It's what it is all about. The football challenge of the Champions League is huge but it is great for the fans.

"They will go to some fantastic cities. They will go in their numbers but it is going to be great.

"It's always going to be a challenge for the Scottish teams in there. We know the numbers that are involved economically for the teams and the strongest leagues.

"What you want to do is show your supporters you are competitive and can go and compete.

"That's what we will aim to do. The group gives us a fighting chance but there is no doubt the teams in there are very good sides in their own right.

"We aim to be competitive."

In the same interview the 50-year-old also fired a cheeky ticket swipe at Ally McCoist as he reflected on Celtic's win over Rangers at the weekend.

The Northern Irishman tasted victory in his first derby fixture since returning to Glasgow as Celtic manager.

Kyogo Furuhashi grabbed the winning goal in the game, but there were no visiting supporters inside Ibrox to celebrate the impressive strike.

Amid an ongoing ticket spat between the two clubs, the Parkhead club rejected the offer of around 700 tickets, citing safety concerns.

And referring to the saga, Rodgers could not resist a cheeky pop at McCoist.

He said: "I am just a wee bit worried for Ally now. If they start taking tickets off the home supporters he might not get in!"

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