Job Half Done

Last updated : 22 August 2016 By ed_ScottishFitba

C:WindowsTempphpF39C.tmpCeltic manager Brendan Rodgers knows his team have the advantage heading into the UEFA Champions League group stages but has warned that the real hard work is still ahead. Celtic head into Tuesday’s second-leg play-off tie with Hapoel Be’er Sheva on the back of a 5-2 home win in the first leg but the Parkhead manager said his team must respect their opponents, who he knows will have to go for it in the opening stages of tomorrow’s game.

Rodgers said: "We did the job in the first-leg and the responsibility is now with us and that’s how you would want it. You see a lot of the games across Europe which will be tough and tight but there’s a three goal-difference in this game. It will still be a tough game for us but thankfully it’s our responsibility. We worked very hard in the last game and the quality of our game has got us into this position so that gives us great confidence. We will always respect our opponents but we know we’re in a good moment."

While taking Celtic into the Group stages would be good for Rodgers CV, he said that the real sense of satisfaction would be for the players and fan, who have waited much longer to return to the top table in continental club competition. He went on: "It has been our No.1 objective from the first day we started. We spoke about it as a team and a squad. We looked at various goals and targets throughout the season and to make the Champions League was clearly one of those as it was one of the first that would come across us. So to lead Celtic into the Champions League would be a great honour and privilege. I know the managers before me I spoke to said their first qualifying campaign was difficult for them but for us we have put in an awful lot of work and we have two hands on the prize and a tight grip on it as well. We need to make sure we maintain that grip and hopefully then the supporters and people can be proud but we still know there’s a bit of work to do."

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