Brendan Rodgers immediately declared his desire to finally make an impact in the Champions League upon taking over as manager of the Hoops.
With 11 of the last 12 Scottish Premiership championships under their belt and four domestic trebles in the last six seasons, Celtic continues to be a dominant force in domestic football.
The last time the Hoops triumphed in a match in Europe’s premier league was in 2017 on the road against Anderlecht, but Rodgers was in command during his first tenure at the club.
Celtic returned to the Champions League last season under Ange Postecoglou, although despite some strong displays they only managed two points from six games after missing out for the previous four seasons.
Rodgers’ reality was exposed in a 2-0 loss to Feyenoord two weeks ago.
After making a strong start, the visitors were defeated when newcomers Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm received red cards for their Champions League debuts. Their inexperience was evident.
Celtic’s business strategy of acquiring young talent from all over the world at deep discounts, developing them, and then selling them on for large profits, has been very effective for the club’s financial standing.
For the 2022–23 season, financial results for the previous year showed a club record pre-tax profit of £40.7 million ($50 million) and £72 million in cash on hand.
Therefore, Rodgers could be excused for wishing he had been granted more substantial funding to bolster his team during the transfer window, especially after suffering a number of crucial player injuries early in the season.
The Northern Irishman stated, “If you look at the club’s strategy, it’s signing the younger players to develop and improve.”
“Quality and experience are necessary, and they will undoubtedly help and support your potential.
“So that’s something that hopefully the squad can regenerate into over the course of my time here.”
Rodgers is readjusting to budgetary restrictions in the little pond of Scottish football after spending the majority of his managerial career there.
Since 2004, when local rivals Rangers advanced to the UEFA Cup and Europa League finals, the Scottish champions have failed to go past the qualifying round of any European competition.
Rodgers continued, “We want to see whether we can have an influence in Europe.
“At the very top level, it’s always a challenge, but we want to go in there and see if we can advance and show our good side.”
Celtic is encouraged by Lazio’s struggles as well as by recent victories over the Italians.
In the Europa League group stages four years ago, they defeated the Biancocelesti both at home and away.
Lazio, who have won just two of their first seven games, enter in Glasgow just outside the Serie A relegation zone.
In their debut Champions League match at home against Atletico Madrid, they were only able to salvage a point thanks to a spectacular equalizer by goalie Ivan Provedel in stoppage time.
The opportunity seems to be there for Maurizio Sarri’s team to take, but that means Celtic must once again step up to the Champions League challenge.
