Brendan Rodgers buoyed by Bhoys display in Champions League

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is convinced they can get to the next stage in the Champions League after pushing Bayern Munich all the way.

The Scottish champions reached the knockout phase of the tournament for the first time in 12 years after losing just twice in eight games in the league format and were seconds away from extra-time in the Allianz Arena.

Given Celtic went into the play-off having failed to replace Kyogo Furuhashi before the transfer deadline, there is clear scope to strengthen in the summer, assuming they hold on to other top players.

"There are financial levels that we can never get to," Rodgers said. "I think that's clear. People talk about going to the next level. But that’s always going to be a challenge for a club like ourselves or clubs without the finances of the really elite clubs.

"But we can certainly get to the next stage. And the next stage being what we’ve shown this season with the level of game that we can play and the confidence that you gain, because that’s the big thing at this level, having the confidence to go to the Allianz Arena and play that way. So that will give the players a huge lift of confidence.

"And there’s no reason then why, if you can qualify out of these group stages and perform like we did, then there’s no reason why you can’t then move on to a last 16 or a quarter-final."

European progress was Rodgers’ stated ambition when he returned to Celtic in the summer of 2023.

"Without being arrogant, I always feel I can do that," he said. "I think I’ve done that in my career, I’ve won big games.

"When I was here the first time, the reality is maybe our squad wasn’t built for that. Domestically we were very good and it was a challenge then for us going into European football.

"You’ll