Brendan Rodgers has called on Celtic Park’s atmosphere to inspire his team as they prepare for a pivotal Champions League encounter against Club Brugge.

The Hoops are aiming for their fourth consecutive home win in Europe, following impressive victories over Slovan Bratislava, RB Leipzig, and last season’s triumph against Feyenoord.
It’s not been a common thing for Celtic to be putting together a run of wins 9in the competition. Before the win against Feyenoord last season, Celtic fans had to wait over a decade to see a home win.
Rodgers highlighted the unique power of Celtic Park on European nights, urging his players to match the passion of the fans with a strong performance on the pitch.
“I think it’s for us, again, another opportunity to show the power of Celtic Park,” the manager told Celtic TV.
“I’ve got absolutely no doubt that every team and their supporters will feel that their football ground is special and really special to be there, to play there and I respect that. But I know this club and I know the fans and I know the stadium, so I know how special it really is to play here and how difficult it can be.
“But what you have to be able to do is match that with the performance and that’s something that has really pleased me in these recent home games in the Champions League.
“So it’s not just a ticked box for players to come here and clubs to come and say they’ve played at Celtic Park, but it’s to come and realise you’re going to be in for a game here and that combination of the support base and the team making it a really difficult night. There’s no doubt, I think. It’s probably more you see when you listen to other players. But also I listen to my own players. It’s the feeling that it brings here and we don’t take it for granted.
“It’s one that I hoped when I came back here, it was to connect it, which was to have that off the field, that fire and that passion and emotion. And bring that onto the field as well with a performance level and a level of football that excites.
“So that was the challenge and you can see when that is all connected, what it brings. Like the Red Bull Leipzig, the feeling that it gives, not just for that night, but the supporters the next day and for days after. The feeling of watching the team compete at European level and play at a level of football. So that’s what we want to bring and it definitely does.”
A win against Club Brugge would not only extend Celtic’s unbeaten home run in this season’s Champions League but also edge them closer to the knockout stage for the round of 16.
Already on 7 points, the data has suggested that 10 points could be the magic number to finish in the top 28.
Celtic Park often has a great atmosphere on Champions League nights, but given the run that the team are on just now, Parkhead will be rocking on Wednesday night for the 8 pm kick off.