Brendan Rodgers is proud of his Celtic side’s “wonderful” Champions League campaign but insists that full attention now turns to winning their fourth consecutive Premiership title and taking the first steps to securing their place at the top table again next year.
The Hoops were knocked out in the playoff stage despite a respectable performance in Germany against Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
A goal from Nicholas Kuhn at the Allianz Arena looked like it had taken the knockout tie into extra-time before a late equaliser from Alphonso Davies earned a 3-2 aggregate victory for Vincent Kompany’s side.
Despite their exit on Tuesday night Rodgers is taking the positives from the campaign, with Celtic winning three and drawing four of their ten games at the highest level of club football.
As he prepares for the trip to Hibernian this weekend he says full attention is now on winning the top-flight again and taking the first steps to a Champions League return.
Speaking to the media on Friday, the Celtic manager said: “It was a campaign full of growth and improvement, and that was very clear to see, so I think we have set the standard for the next steps going forward.
“Our game tomorrow is part of the steps to get back there. It was a wonderful campaign and I am really proud of the players with how they performed throughout the campaign.
“Through some adversity, the quality of our football, the resilience and the grit, we had everything that you have to show at that level.
“But it’s gone now and we have to get ready for our next game.”
Celtic can move 16 points clear at the top of the Premiership if they beat David Gray’s side on Saturday, with Rangers not in action until later that day.
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