CELTIC BOSS REVEALS EURO TARGET

CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers is demanding four points from the Champions League double-header against Borussia Monchengladbach in a bid to secure European football beyond Christmas.

Parkhead will stage the first of back-to-back games against the Germans on Wednesday night and the Irishman is hoping the home crowd will help spur his players to another memorable occasion about Europe’s elite.

Rodgers saw his team collapse to an all-time low in the 7-0 loss in Barcelona on the first day of the campaign, but was heartened the 3-3 draw with Manchester City in Glasgow last month.

He said: “Our objective was to look to be in Europe after Christmas. We felt it would be great if we could do that from such a strong group.

“The home games are very important for us, so this game against Borussia will be vital.

“If we can come out of the back-to-back games with four points it would put us in a great position.

“They’ll be tough and it will be a rollercoaster, but, being realistic, that is what you have to aim for. You look to win your home game and get something away from home, though it is not a disaster if you don’t.

“You have to earn every single point in the Champions League. We are delighted to be in this competition and will try to rinse everything we can out of it.”

“We started the City game with great intensity and the crowd fed off that. It was a special night, although I was actually disappointed not to win the game, which is probably why I was a bit sullen afterwards.

“But the performance of the players was brilliant and so were the supporters. The crowd don’t get to that level if the team aren’t performing, but we do have a real special connection at the minute between the supporters and the players.”