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Brendan Rodgers has told his Celtic players to park their Champions League disappointment and embrace the challenge of mounting a good run in the Europa League.
Celtic have dropped down into the second-tier competition after failing to overcome Kairat Almaty in the Champions League qualifiers.
The debacle against the Kazakhs has prompted widespread protests among supporters against the club’s board.
Celtic will begin their Europa League campaign away in Serbia on Wednesday night when they take on Red Star Belgrade in a red-hot atmosphere at the notoriously intimidating Rajko Mitic Stadium.
Having failed to progress any further than the last 32 since it was rebranded as the Europa League 16 years ago, Rodgers has challenged his players to go deep into the competition.
‘For us, for myself and the players, our disappointment [at failing to reach the Champions League] is long gone,’ said the Celtic boss. ‘We have to look forward and embrace this great competition.
The Celtic players are put through their paces at Parkhead ahead of their trip to Belgrade
Brendan Rodgers and Benjamin Nygren speak to the media ahead of the Red Star clash
Rodgers was in upbeat mood despite the issues that have plagued the Parkhead club of late
‘There was a big learning last year in the Champions League. We built a confidence in the first year I was back, even though we lost a few games.
‘Last year, we showed that we could learn and still play our football, and there was no bigger example of that than the Allianz Arena [against Bayern Munich].
‘It gives us confidence we can go away in Europe and get results. From the football aspect, our team is growing and developing.
‘We won’t change our mentality. We always respect the opponent and prepare for a tough game, but we know we are a tough opponent as well. We want to make it a really difficult night for Red Star.
‘You know, in any game you play in European football, you need to start strong. Our DNA is very clear, we always want to play attacking football, but you know we won’t always have it our own way.
‘There are times when we will have to defend, but we have the confidence to play our own game.’
Rodgers and his players will be confronted with one of the most intimidating atmospheres in European football tonight in Belgrade.
Covered in murals and graffiti, the infamous tunnel at the Rajko Mitic Stadium features a 240metre walk from the dressing room to the pitch and is regularly surrounded by riot police and Red Star ultras.
Asked about the cauldron they are about to enter, Rodgers added: ‘Just embrace it. I’ve heard the walk is about two minutes from the dressing room to the stadium, so I’ll have to talk a bit quicker at half-time!
‘But what an opportunity, just embrace it.’
Meanwhile, Celtic midfielder Benjamin Nygren also insisted that the red-hot atmosphere is likely to fire up the Celtic players as they look to start their campaign with a win.
‘I’m looking forward to it a lot, I’ve heard a lot about this place and I’m sure it will be a great atmosphere,’ he said.
‘I think it is looking better and better and we are getting better as a team. I think we can have a strong performance as a team.
‘We have a lot of confidence. We are players for Celtic, so we know how good we are.
‘That’s what you dream of as a kid, to be a footballer and play in front of these fans. We play at Celtic Park in front of 60,000 fans, so we know how that is.’
