Brendan Rodgers is in his sixth season at Celtic.
The 52-year-old is well-experienced in his role across two spells, which have brought highs and lows domestically and in Europe.
However, this is just his second crack at the Europa League across his two stints, after the disastrous Champions League qualifying defeat against Kairat Almaty.
He had two seasons in the competition during his time at Leicester, being knocked out at the round of 32 stage by Slavia Prague in 2020-21 before finishing third in a group behind Spartak Moscow and Napoli the following campaign.
With Rodgers potentially in his final season at Celtic, could this be the year for his deep run? One player who spent a brief spell working with him thinks so.
Kris Commons on Celtic’s Europa League chances
Kris Commons departed Celtic in 2016, shortly after Rodgers first arrived.
He made over 200 appearances over six-and-a-half years in Hoops, scoring 92 goals. He was a part of three different Europa League campaigns.
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Speaking to PLZ Soccer, Commons said that he sees a genuine chance of Celtic making the later stages of the competition – as long as they get January right.
He said: “I think he will want to have a good crack at Europe. I think also that the three cups domestic will be on his mind as well.
“So it will be interesting to see how they do go from this point up to January and then concentrate on recruitments and people that are going to make the squad better.
I think if they are having a real good crack at Europe, then January’s transfer window could be pivotal to their success, because I think if they do get it right, then Celtic certainly are one of the clubs that could go the distance in this competition.”
Fans won’t be sure what’s more unlikely between a European run or a successful transfer window… but Commons’ optimism is admirable.
Celtic’s European knockout record makes for miserable reading
It is now well-established that the Hoops haven’t won a European knockout tie in any competition since 2004.
In that time, they’ve had a fair few opportunities. Champions League knockout defeats to Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus and Bayern Munich can certainly be excused.
However, exits to Copenhagen, Zenit St Petersburg and Bodo/Glimt are less excusable, especially when coupled with Europa League group stage exits in 2009, 2014 and 2020.
But given what the team showed in last season’s Champions League, there is at least some call for positivity – particularly if the team’s new signings can keep performing.
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