Celtic transfer state of play on Bernardo, O'Riley and Bertrand as striker search moves up Brendan Rodgers agenda

Gustaf Lagerbielke insists Celtic can dream of reaching the Champions League knockout stages after dodging several European big guns in last night’s glitzy draw.

The Hoops will take on Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid and Lazio in the group stage after avoiding some of the heavy hitters such as Man City, Real Madrid and PSG. Parkhead boss Brendan Rodgers is looking to tool up further with Portugal playmaker Paulo Bernardo’s loan switch from Benfica to be confirmed on the back of Liverpool centre back Nat Phillips arriving last night, on a deal initially until January.

The Irishman is also chasing a left back and Ryan Bertrand – who has left Leicester – is an option while the club are also assessing strikers going into the final few hours of the window. They are also determined to hold on to their main men – and knocked back a second £10m bid from Leeds United for Matt O’Riley. The English Championship side were told the attacking midfielder is not for sale during this window.

Rodgers wants O’Riley on board and Lagerbielke is convinced Celtic have a fighting change of progressing out of Group E. The Swede said: “The group looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun.

“To play against those teams is going to be a challenge of course, as it always is in the Champions League, but it’s going to be a fun challenge. Like every other competition, we aim to go as far as possible.

“Even in the Champions League we of course will look to advance to the further stages. That is our ambition and we will do our best to get there.”

Lagerbielke remembers watching Celts as a kid stun Barcelona the last time they escaped the group stages 10 years ago – and the famous win can inspire the current side.

He said: “The Champions League is the main thing