Brendan Rodgers targets domestic treble and Champions League play-offs

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers declared his "burning" desire to improve his team as he targeted a treble and European progress ahead of the new season.

But he knows he still needs to add quality to his squad to achieve that plan.

The first season of Rodgers' second spell in charge ended on a high as Celtic won 11 of their final 12 matches to clinch a double.

There were strong signs his team could carry on that form when they put four goals past each of DC United, Manchester City and Chelsea on their pre-season tour of the United States, with the co-ordinated pressing of the team showing an improved understanding of Rodgers' tactical demands.

But they go into Sunday's William Hill Premiership opener against Kilmarnock without much difference to their squad.

Kasper Schmeichel has replaced the retired Joe Hart while Celtic brought back Paulo Bernardo on a permanent deal following his loan spell from Benfica. A similar deal for Adam Idah, if Norwich can be persuaded to part with the forward, could get Celtic basically back to where they were at the end of last season.

Rodgers remains relaxed about the transfer plans with four weeks left of the window and is confident his side can hit the ground running.

"Our objective is to win every domestic trophy," he said. "You can't hide behind anything other than that.

"We're in an exciting Champions League format, so we want to get into the play-off stage of that.

"But alongside that for me it will be looking at the football performance and the consistency of that. There were spells last year where we played some fantastic football and probably more so towards the end with some sporadic games in between.

"But now the the clarity is there with everything and how we're working then I would expect us to really be a lot more consistent.

"From the tactical aspect, we've worked on some things over the the pre-season, especially in America, against some really good opponents.

"And it was interesting because one young player of mine who played for Chelsea, a former player, he said after the game that 'it's a Brendan team we're playing'.

"So that was a good sign for me on a personal level because he has played for me before and knows what I expect and demand and he can see it in a different team, but playing the same way."

Rodgers is not prepared to rest on his laurels as Rangers take time to strengthen their squad as well.

"Certainly complacency doesn't ever enter my mind because we didn't win three trophies last year," he said.

"So domestically, we've got to make up on that and then we have to be better in Europe. As simple as that. We can't beat about the bush. We have to be better.

"But in order to be better, you need quality. And if you're going to improve on that, then we need to find that. It's as absolutely simple as that.

"So that's our drive, that's our motivation and that's something that the ambition is absolutely burning for us to be the best that we can be."

Rodgers was keen not to become embroiled in a "toxic" discussion about transfer dealings or detail how many new players he wants.

He added: "Do we want to improve? Yes. Does the board know that? Yes. But with the tools that we have at this moment in time, the players are working very, very well and I would expect us to add to that and be stronger by the time the window closes.

"I'm quite relaxed. I've known what I've always wanted, but there's so many moving parts in transfers.

"Our duty is for the supporters, to give them the best team that we possibly can because they deserve that for the support they give the club, the money they spend at this club.

"So we as a football club have to give them the best team that we possibly can, but sometimes that isn't always straight away."

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