The Champions League 'trap' Celtic won't fall into as Brendan Rodgers spots the danger hiding in Dinamo crisis

Brendan Rodgers insists he’s not buying into talk of crisis at Champions League foes Dinamo Zagreb.

Instead, he’s focused only on the relentless appetite of Celtic and their chance to make history by reaching the first-ever play-off phase for the new-look Champions League. Rodgers arrived into Croatia with Dinamo's supposed woes dominating discussions amongst locals. Dinamo haven’t won in their last five games, the club have made statements to their fans about the form and the squad needs kids injected due to a spate of injuries. But Rodgers chooses to blank out of it.

It doesn’t change his own outlook as he said: “I don’t become wary, I just don’t believe it. That’s the reality. When a team is in crisis mode, that’s always dangerous for me and that’s why I never think about it and look at it because I always think it gives the opportunity for someone else to come in, whether it’s players that are missing or whether the form has not quite been good.

“What you know is in the Champions League, once the music comes, every team is motivated to win. I don’t necessarily fall into that trap really. I just know that this will be a tough game for us, but we’re ready and we’re excited about it.”

Rodgers prefers to assess reality. The fact the Croats have seven points, just one less than his side in the push for the next stage. He said: “Well, I think that tells you everything that if you can pick up seven points in a Champions League format, then it shows you that you’re a very good side.

“There’s some really gifted players. Baturina in midfield is a highly gifted young player whose talent can travel with the ball and is really good technically, whilst they have other really good technicians as well. At this level of competition,