‘TIME FOR THE GAME OF YOUR LIVES,’ RODGERS TELLS CELTS

BRENDAN RODGERS has urged his Celtic players to produce a mesmerising, memorable performance against Barcelona in the Champions league tonight.

And the Hoops boss has told them this is their chance to write their own piece of Parkhead history and go straight into club folklore.

In the 50th anniversary season since the Celts conquered Europe in Lisbon, Rodgers’ side are aiming to follow in the footsteps of the 2004 and 2012 heroes who managed to overwhelm the Spanish superstars under the lights in the east end of Glasgow.

The Irishman said: “In order to get a result against a team at this level, you need to bring your A game, play the game of your life and hope that you get that bit of luck.

“We’ve heard since I came here about the game with Neil’s team. That’s a game that probably will go down in history.

“It was a big performance from the players and Neil deserved that, but my message is to go and create new memories.

“We can’t live in the past. That’s here as motivation and inspiration, but we have to create our own memories.

“And I think the current squad, in my time here, have shown that. Can they bring that now into this game to a level that can get them a good result?

“The Manchester City game is another that will go down as an incredible occasion, of course, but the Barcelona game is a huge moment for the team.

“In order to get that victory it’s going to take an extra special performance, but you know that.”

Rodgers added: “What I take a great pride in is when I come out and I look around me and I see the players lining up and seeing the staff wondering where the noise is coming from, because you can hardly hear the music.

“It’s a real, deafening experience.”