LET’S MAKE HISTORY: RODGERS REVEALS ‘PERFECT’ AMBITION

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BRENDAN RODGERS looked into the Champions League future as he reflected on Celtic’s past glories at Europe’s highest level.

The Irishman has always been acutely aware of what Jock Stein’s all-conquering side achieved when they became the first British club to win the European Cup when they overcame Inter Milan in the unforgettable showpiece showdown in Lisbon on May 25 1967.

Rodgers is determined for the present-day Celts to make their own history and they can take another giant step forward when they host Switzerland’s Young Boys under the lights at Parkhead tomorrow night in what is certain to be another rocking occasion.

A win will almost certainly see the Hoops book a place in the play-offs with a game still to play.

The players on the field and the supporters in the stand are prepared to unite once again in perfect harmony to push the club to glory.

Rodgers said: “I think it’s what makes Celtic Park so special. This really is a stadium that is iconic with the atmosphere.

“I think a night game here in the Champions League gives us a real connection with the past and the great story that this club has with this competition many years ago.

“It’s what the culture and the history of this club has been set on.

“A club that won the European Cup at that time, playing the most amazing football through that sequence of games. That’s what creates your culture and your history and that’s what we live to replicate each and every season we play.

“So, I think our feeling going into this game is to have that synergy because it’s so important.

“It’s what the founding values of this club has been about, connection, people together. We’ve seen already this season and it’s the most amazing place to be in and that’s what we want to have tomorrow.”

Rodgers, speaking to the media, continued: “The Champions League story so far has been, in the main, really good for us, especially at home, so we’re excited about the challenge of the game and looking forward to it.

“I think the perfect story I always hear is to make the supporters and the people proud of your performance level.

“We know the challenges at this level once you get to a certain point, but, for me, it’s for the supporters to dream but to see the team play the football we like to play and like we’ve seen in other games here.

“When we’re fast and dynamic and attacking and pressing and everything about our game is about the press to get the ball, to score goals and create goals and when we do that then that’s when we look a really good side.”

Asked about what it would mean to lead the team into the knock-out stages, Rodgers answered: “Clearly very special. It’s something I haven’t done.

“I mentioned when I came back that we would like to make genuine progress at this level.

“I never promised anything, I just said we would do our very best but looked to see if we could progress because it’s been such a long time.

“There have been some good performances without results to match. The managers before me have done great jobs.

“But what we wanted to do was to be able to make that next step and I feel we’re in a great position to do that.

“You know your resources and finances will be nowhere near some teams at this level. However, you still have the ability to compete and play a level of football that makes your club proud. I think we’ve done that.

“After the Leipzig game, I couldn’t be happier with the team’s performance.

“How we started the game, how we responded to going behind, how we played, how our press and everything on the pressure was there, the creativity, the chances created, the goals, everything I’d want in a team we saw that night.

“We want this place to be a difficult place to come to. It was for a number of years. It’s been a challenging decade for this club because of resources and everything else.

“But I think we’re starting to see that we really can compete and not just compete, but play to a level of football that’s synonymous with this club.

“If we can continue to do that, that would, of course, make us really, really proud.”

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