Brendan Rodgers: Celtic aiming for "real good go" in Europa after Champions League disappointment
Brendan Rodgers says Celtic must put the Champions League behind them and “look forward” to the Europa League.
Rodgers' side are in Serbia ahead of their opening match against Red Start Belgrade on Wednesday night.
Celtic were knocked out of the Champions League after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Kairat Almaty in the play-off round last month.
Rodgers insists it is time to forget about their exit and “have a real go” in Europe’s secondary competition.
Speaking ahead of the match in the Balkans, Rodgers said: “After the initial disappointment (of missing out on the Champions League), we are now really looking forward to this competition.
“You look at the eight games we have, there are some great teams and it is a great challenge for us to be in it.
“We are now really focused on doing well in this competition.
“I’m sure that (going deep into the tournament) is the plan for every team, but certainly for us, we want to have a real good go at this competition.
“We were competitive in the Champions League last season, and likewise in the Europa, with the improvements that we will make as the season goes on, we really want to push and do as well as we can do.
“We have to forget about the Champions League now, that is gone this season, so it is now very much about looking forward.
“When Celtic reached the final in 2003, that created some incredible memories for people and that came off the back of not qualifying for the Champions League.
“This is going to be a great tournament, with some great games, and I am really looking forward to it."
Meanwhile, Red Star Belgrade head coach Vladan Milojevic described Celtic as a team "made for the Champions League" as the two sides bid to cast off their play-off disappointment and start the Europa League with a bang.
The Serbs also lost in this season's play-offs after being in the Champions League proper last campaign, suffering a shock 3-2 aggregate defeat to Cypriot side Pafos.
The two former European Cup winners now bid to begin the process of changing the narrative around their continental campaigns when they meet in the Serbian capital.
Milojevic said: "Celtic certainly have much more quality than they showed against Kairat in those two matches, with respect to the Kairat team.
"Celtic have a good team and, like every team, they are slowly looking for themselves. Like us, they also have some problems.
"We always have a problem at the beginning of the championship in creating continuity and putting the pieces together after many changes."
He added: "Celtic are an extremely good team, with a good coach, an experienced tactician who has worked in the Premier League for a long time.
"Celtic are a team that were certainly made for the Champions League. They are extremely strong, dominant, and physically very good.
"A lot of foreigners play in the Scottish league. I think it will be an interesting match. Two good teams will clash."
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