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Johan Mjallby highlights what Celtic must improve moving forwards

Former Celtic Assistant Manager Johan Mjallby (Reuters)
Former Celtic Assistant Manager Johan Mjallby (Reuters)
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The Scottish Champions secure their progression to the Champions League group stages on Tuesday.

Brendan Rodgers celebratesBrendan Rodgers celebrates

Former Celtic star Johan Mjallby has told BT Sport that the key thing for the side moving forward must be to improve their quality while in possession.

The Hoops progressed to the Champions League group stages on Tuesday by securing an aggregate victory of Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

Brendan Rodgers side were beaten 2-0 in Israel, but the Scottish champions 5-2 victory at Celtic Park last week was enough to see them through to the group stages of the competition for the first time in two years.

Football Soccer - Hapoel Be'er Sheva v Celtic - UEFA Champions League Playoff Second Leg - Turner Stadium, Beersheba, IsraelFootball Soccer – Hapoel Be’er Sheva v Celtic – UEFA Champions League Playoff Second Leg – Turner Stadium, Beersheba, Israel

While the Northern Irishman will be delighted to see his side progress, he will be concerned by the manner of their defeat.

And Mjallby says the key thing they must look to improve is their work when they have possession.

“The key thing for Celtic moving forward is that they need to keep the ball better. The best form of defending is to keep hold of the ball,” he told BT Sport.

Celtic's Saidy Janko in action against Hapoel Be'er ShevaCeltic’s Saidy Janko in action against Hapoel Be’er Sheva

It is somewhat surprising to see a Brendan Rodgers side garnering criticism about their ability while in possession.

Possession based football has been a staple of his managerial career, with him implementing it to success at Swansea and to some extent at Liverpool.

He is yet to put into place as strongly in Scotland but perhaps it will be something he looks to bring on board with a tough Champions League run expected.

Celtic manager Brendan RodgersCeltic manager Brendan Rodgers