BRENDAN RODGERS will end a five-year spell in the Champions League wilderness against Feyenoord in Rotterdam tomorrow night.
It will be the Celtic manager’s first involvement in the group stages of Europe’s elite competition since December 5 2017 when he saw the Hoops lose 1-0 to Anderlecht at Parkhead.
The defeat dropped the Hoops into the Europa League where Callum McGregor scored a memorable goal in the 1-0 first leg win over Roberto Mancini’s Zenit St Petersburg in Glasgow, but the Scots crashed 3-0 in Russia to exit the European arena.
WATCHING BRIEF…Brendan Rodgers cuts a relaxed figure as Celtic overcome Dundee 3-0 at Parkhead.
The following year, Rodgers’ side failed to qualify for the group stages after flopping 3-2 on aggregate to AEK Athens.
Now the Irishman is back among the upper echelons of football and, speaking to the Scottish Sun, said: “I know there always can be a wee bit of trepidation going into the Champions League to play at that level.
“But, for me, there is nothing but excitement.
“We are really going to enjoy the Champions League.
“Listen, they are the Dutch champions, so they will be a very good side.”
And tomorrow night’s opponents underlined their quality with a runaway 6-1 home win over SC Heerenveen at the weekend.
Welcome back to the top flight, Brendan, we hope you do enjoy the experience!
