Brendan Rodgers urges Celtic fans to 'back the team' amid protests in Europa League game v Braga

Brendan Rodgers has urged Celtic fans to “back the team” amid planned protests for their Europa League game against Braga.

The manager says he can only control things on the field, but insists the supporters are “the lifeblood” of the club and is counting on their backing to keep their European campaign on track.

The Hoops continue their league phase campaign with a home game against the Portuguese side at Parkhead on Thursday.

Fan groups are set to continue their actions against the club’s board by staging a 30-minute “silent protest” during the first half.

It follows on from similar stunts in games against Kilmarnock, Partick Thistle, and Hibernian.

Large sections of the support were left unhappy at the perceived lack of ambition in the transfer window and being knocked out of the Champions League by Kairat Almaty at the play-off stage.

Celtic dropped into the Europa League as a result and started their campaign in Serbia, where they earned a hard-earned point last week.

They now have two back-to-back home ties as they look to give themselves the best chance of making the knockout stages.

After Braga, it will be the Austrian side Sturm Graz up next when they visit the East End of Glasgow on October 23.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Rodgers said: “If you want to do well in this competition, then you will have to do well in your home games.

“Our focus is very much on our performance on the pitch, as that is the only thing that we can control.

“I really hope that the stadium is as full as possible, because that is what Celtic is about for me, our history is based around our supporters, and what they bring. So, I understand frustrations, but I would still hope that we can have a full stadium backing the team.

“It’s always important to make a fast start, it is a big mantra of mine. You can’t always do that, but that is always the aim, especially at home.

“We want to challenge every team who comes here from the very first whistle, so making a quick start is not unique to this game, it’s what we always want to do.”

Rodgers is expecting a tough game against Braga, who opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Feyenoord, but insists it’s important to be strong at home.

He said: “It’s against a team that started their campaign with a good victory over Feyenoord, and like most Portuguese teams, they are very well organised. They are maybe not in the best of form domestically, but that is irrelevant as it is a cup competition.

“They have good players and a good young manager, so it will be a good test for us.

“It’s important to get that first win, it can set a tone for the rest of the year in the competition, and, of course, at home we want to be strong and make it a really difficult place for others to come.

“I think we did that last year in Europe, and we want to do likewise this year.”