BRENDAN RODGERS insists Celtic must have a right go in their Europa League Group B group, starting tomorrow night against Rosenborg at Parkhead.
And the Hoops boss admitted they did not “deserve” to be in the next stages of the Champions League after losing to AEK Athens in the third round qualifier.
Last season, Celtic went out of of the Europa League after a Callum McGregor goal gave them a 1-0 win over Zenit St Petersburg in Glasgow, but, unfortunately, they collapsed 3-0 in Russia to go out at the last-32 stage against Roberto Mancini’s side.
Asked if he was disappointed to be in Europe’s second tournament, Rodgers replied: “No, it’s where we deserve to be.
“We are not entitled to be in the Champions League, we didn’t qualify – simple as that. We are right in the competition that we deserve to be in.
“We respect that and it is our duty to get as far as we possibly can.”
Kristoffer Ajer is a major doubt for tomorrow night’s encounter under the lights in the east end of Glasgow.
The Norwegian international defender is suffering from a virus and will be assessed before the match.
Fellow-defender Jozo Simunovic remains out with a knee injury while long-term absentee Nir Bitton is progressing with his rehabilitation with a similar injury and is on course for a return next month.
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