Celtic's Champions League masterplan laid bare as Chelsea and Man City drafted in for ultimate preparation

Brendan Rodgers has learned plenty from a decade of Champions League.

In his eyes, the biggest trait needed to really compete is belief. Rodgers has seen it across Europe and it’s what Celtic will need to give him what he wants. Which is for them not just to be participants in it, but consistent competitors. Rodgers’ career at the top table began 10 years ago with Liverpool and a group-stage win over Ludogorets. Since then, experiences have been gathered, not all positive.

With just a couple more victories on the record at Celtic since then, it has been difficult at times. But Rodgers wants Celtic to really show themselves this time and, if it is to happen, they’ll need that inner-feeling of belonging. He said: “For us as a football club, we want to make that progress from participating to being competitive. We don’t want just the benchmark to be domestic. We want to improve and do well in Europe. I love the challenge, I realise the challenge. The players do, we love playing at it. It’s an amazing level to be involved in.

“It’s not getting any easier, that’s for sure. Listen, it’s an elite competition. Most of my Champions League history has been with Celtic.

“From a managing perspective, I’ve clearly developed a lot since that [first time], you know, 39, 40 years of age and 51 now and had a lot more games under my belt, much more experience and played against a lot of the big teams and big competitions around the world. You see how top players have that belief. I think that’s what I’ve always said.

“Champions League really is belief games. These are the games where, I’ve been fortunate enough in my career to have worked with world-class players and really top-level players in the European game.

“One of the biggest