Monchengladbach vs Celtic - Rodgers aiming for Celtic to develop as a Champions League team

Posted Tuesday, November 01, 2016 by PA

Boss Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic will be a Champions League last-16 team in two or three years.

The Hoops take on Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany on Tuesday night looking to add to their solitary Group C point after three fixtures and knowing that realistically a win is needed to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.

After losing left-back Kieran Tierney last week with ankle ligament damage, they will have to do it without another three key players as Kolo Toure, Jozo Simunovic and Leigh Griffiths missed the trip with a combination of injury, fatigue and illness.

At the pre-match press conference in Telegen, Holland, the Northern Irishman was asked if he would expect the Scottish champions to be a last-16 side in that time period.

"I would hope so, yes," he said. "That's the process we're beginning.

"This is what this experience of this competition has given us - the chance to build towards that.

"The huge improvement that's been made domestically is a huge credit to the players and how well they've worked and how hard they've worked. And it's step by step.

"They've arrived into this level, in the toughest group in the competition and of course it's been difficult for them. We don't see it as a threat.

"It's a major challenge for us but it's a great challenge to have.

"Each year we can arrive here we can improve on it and hopefully get to the latter stages consistently.

"Let's see how the next game goes and take it from there."

Celtic were beaten 2-0 by the German side a fortnight ago with the visitors more than worth their win.

The former Swansea and Liverpool boss added: "They reinforced that they are a very good side, even with the players missing the level they are developing over the last couple of years is a level we are trying to get to obviously over time.

"I experienced it in the Champions League when I was in England. It is a step-up even from that, the intensity, the quality, the speed.

"We are taking a couple of jumps up to that level. At this level there are very few opportunities and you have to take them but whilst remaining very solid and super competitive."

Toure missed the trip with an abductor injury, fellow defender Simunovic is struggling to play so soon after the game against Aberdeen on Saturday, while striker Griffiths has a virus.

Rodgers said: "It is unfortunate but you can't control it. It is something that you can't worry about.

"You hope those players can get back as quick as they can but it is an ongoing issue with Jozo and Kolo."

After winning at Celtic Park, victory on Tuesday would assure Gladbach at least a place in the Europa League in the spring - but coach Andre Schubert says the Bundesliga club want more than that.

"It's going to be a difficult but at the same time a wonderful challenge for us," he said at a press conference. "None of my players need any extra motivation.

"We want to take control of the game and then see if we can get one, two or three goals."

The Gladbach coach is nevertheless not reading too much into his side's win in Scotland, saying that Celtic are equally dangerous away from home, even if it is they who will face a hostile home crowd at Borussia-Park.

"Celtic are a dangerous team because they have nothing to lose," Schubert said. "They can afford to take risks.

"They have players like (Mousa) Dembele who we need to keep a close eye on. I'm confident, though, that we have the quality in our side to beat them again tomorrow."