The former Liverpool boss has praised his predecessors for going through a testing pre-season for the Bhoys.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has labelled the club’s pre-season as they hardest he’s ever done, he is quoted as saying by the Glasgow Evening Times.
The Bhoys have had to play six qualifying matches for the Champions League, fixtures of the upmost importance for the prestige not only of the club but also of Scottish football in general.
Celtic have so far overcome Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar, Astana of Kazakhstan and now face the final hurdle away in Israel to Hapoel Be’er Sheva, to whom they will take a 5-2 lead after an excellent display at Celtic Park.
Celtic have so far beaten Lincoln Red Imps and Astana
Coupled with regular pre-season clashes and the International Champions Cup, it makes for a pre-season like no other in terms of pressure and physical output.
“It’s the hardest pre-season I’ve ever done,” said Rodgers. “No question about that. I take my hat off to the guys who have been here before me and who have gone through it. I spoke to Martin [O’Neill], I spoke to Neil [Lennon] just for a general chat, and the word I took away from it was ‘dangerous’ and I know exactly what they mean.
“I saw Lenny quoted that it was ‘awful’ the other day. It’s a very dangerous period because the demand physically and mentally at this stage of the season is unique.
“Especially when you know what it can do for the country, not just the club, you are taking on responsibility for a nation to empower that and to help that. It’s tough but hopefully the rewards are there for you.”
Celtic travel to Israel this week to book their place in the Champions League proper
Celtic know that a draw or a defeat by two goals or less will be enough to see them through to the Champions League proper for the first time since Neil Lennon’s stewardship.
The Bhoys are long overdue a return to Europe’s flagship competition, a tournament they won back in 1967.
Celtic lead 5–2 on aggregate
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