Brendan Rodgers believes that a Champions League place is Celtic’s to lose ahead of the second leg of their play-off against Hapoel Beer-Sheva on Tuesday night.
The Scottish champions are 5-2 up from the first game at Parkhead and favourites to reach the group stages for the first time in three seasons. Speaking at the Turner Stadium before Celtic trained, Rodgers addressed the commanding advantage his side have over the Israeli team.
“As a coach I only know too well if you don’t have maximum concentration in the game that you can concede goals,” he said. “We always have to be aware of that. We respect Beer-Sheva and their qualities and they will be doing everything they possibly can to qualify. But the prize is with us and it is only for us to lose and we don’t intend to lose it very easily.
“I would be delighted of course to qualify. It has been our No1 objective from the day we started. To lead Celtic into the Champions League would be a huge honour and great privilege.”
Rodgers believes that Celtic could take advantage of any gaps the home side may leave as they chase goals. “It is a difficult one for them,” the manager said. “They are playing at their home stadium and they know they have to attack.
“The problem is when we have the pace we have in the team. There are big spaces if you leave yourself open and this is a team that can score goals.”
Barak Bakhar, the Hapoel Beer-Sheva manager, is hoping for the improbable as he tries to turn around the three-goal deficit.
“In football there are games where the impossible happened,” he said. “We will try to remember these games. It is a Champions League match, we will try to play well and not think about the result and we will see. Of course the fans will have a very significant part in the match. They can play a huge part in helping us produce an amazing performance.”
