Brendan Rodgers wants Celtic to replicate their impressive pre-season performances by making their mark on the Champions League this season. 

During Rodgers' two spells at the Hoops, the Northern Irishman has guided the club to nine major honours, including a domestic Double last time out, and earned many plaudits for his style of football along the way. 

However, the one area where Celtic have failed to make a notable impact is on the European stage. 

Rodgers knows that's got to change as his team go into the newly formed Champions League league phase in mid-September. 

Last season, Celtic finished rock bottom of their group, with just one win from their six fixtures.

Although the Parkhead boss was quick to remind people that many results were decided on fine margins and he wants his squad to use the positive showings during their latest US summer tour as a reminder of what they are capable of producing. 

Celtic defeated DC United, Chelsea, and Manchester City over in the States. 

"For me, I want us to be able to get into a play-off position," Rodgers explained when asked about his ambitions on the continental stage, while confessing there's areas that still need strengthening.

"I think it's the balance because you are playing teams that are at a really high level. But obviously we've now got eight games, we also have to be realistic as well. The club has won one game in so many years at home. But that shouldn't stop us pushing.

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"I think with the right quality of player at that level that can help us, then I believe that we can do that. Absolutely, I've got every confidence that we can do that.

"We were very, very close last year. Some will play that run down purely because we didn't qualify, but if you actually come away and magnify in on the games, the three home games, we won one and we could've very easily have won the other two. And maybe with a bit of luck, we could've done 

"The games away from home were close as well. Clearly Atletico Madrid away was a tough one for us.

"So for me, success will always be to try and come out of the group stages, and I know what we need for that. Otherwise it can be a real, real challenge. 

"We will always look to play it in the way we want to play. There's different ways to succeed but for me, we will look to play like how you seen in the recent games in pre-season with Man City and Chelsea. 

"You are playing against top players and you've got to take the game to them, and put your style of football. But you also know there's balance and you have to try and defend at times. I think that balance is what has pleased me as time has gone on here. 

"We want to be aggressive and hopefully in the Champions League stay with that same mentality." 

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Summer recruit, Kasper Schmeichel, who has come into the club to replace Joe Hart as No.1 produced an excellent save to deny Erling Haaland a certain goal during the victory over Manchester City - and Rodgers reckons that moment of brilliance showed the veteran shot-stoppers quality.

"He's still one of the best shot-stoppers in world football," Rodgers stated.

"I know he is really excited to be here and from the conversation that I had with him, he couldn't get here quick enough. 

"He's still a top 'keeper. You see his presence in the goal, you see his stature in the goal. 

"But also with Kasper, I know how competitive and how hungry he is, and that really impressed me when I worked with him at Leicester, his competitive edge.

"He's clearly got his mind set on the World Cup in a couple of years time, and that's great for him. But it's also brilliant for us. 

"I think as a whole package, it's an absolutely brilliant signing for us."