Brendan Rodgers referenced Celtic's run to Seville in 2003 as his side look to make up for Champions League failure by having a "real good go" in the Europa League this season. Having dropped into the secondary competition following the play-off loss on penalties to Kairat Almaty, Rodgers' side get under way against Red Star Belgrade in the Serbian capital on Wednesday night. The club's run to the Uefa Cup final 22 years ago came after they crashed to Basel in the Champions League play-offs.
Brendan Rodgers referenced Celtic's run to Seville in 2003 as his side look to make up for Champions League failure by having a "real good go" in the Europa League this season.
Having dropped into the secondary competition following the play-off loss on penalties to Kairat Almaty, Rodgers' side get under way against Red Star Belgrade in the Serbian capital on Wednesday night.
The club's run to the Uefa Cup final 22 years ago came after they crashed to Basel in the Champions League play-offs.
"We have to forget about the Champions League," manager Rodgers said. "That's gone. We can't look back.
"It's very much looking forward to the future and how we can improve on and off the pitch.
"On the pitch there's been some incredible memories for people, and 2003 came off the back of disappointment in not qualifying.
"So it's going to be a great tournament, great games. I'm really looking forward to the coaching challenge within that, seeing the guys operate at this level. And we know that we can have a really good possibility this season to do really well.
"We want to have a real good go at this competition. In the Champions League last season, we were competitive, which is what we wanted to be.
"And likewise in this tournament we feel that we can, with the improvements that we will make as the season goes on, but obviously starting [Wednesday] night, we really want to push to do well. And we feel we can do."
Category: General Sports
