Rodgers aiming for big performance in first leg of 'huge' play-off tie
The Hoops take on Kairat Almaty for a place in Europe's top competition, and the manager is aiming for a good win at Parkhead to set themselves up for a daunting 7,000-mile trip to the Asian border.
Rodgers, who is hoping the Scottish champions can add to their squad before next week's first leg, admits they would have preferred to play Slovan Bratislava, who they beat comfortably in the league phase last season.
Kairat beat the Slovakian champions on penalties midweek and now stand between Celtic and another shot at the Champions League.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Rodgers said: 'If we're being honest, then everyone would have preferred the closer team, and not the longer journey. But it is what it is. We have been there before, and in the first leg we will want to make a real push to set our standards on that game, and then we will go over there the following week and look to qualify.
'It is such a huge game, and when it comes, we will be ready for it.
'When we get there, we will be prepared and ready.
'Hopefully, we can add to the team before then. We have right up until the night before the game to add to the squad, so we hope that can be the case.
'We hope that we can improve it, and hopefully by then, we will do.
'I'm philosophical about (bringing new players in), the club has always done business towards the end of the window, all managers and coaches want players in as soon as we can, because you want to be as prepared as you possibly can be.
'What I think has gone unnoticed a little bit is that we have made a really good start, we have two wins from two, played well, and I know we will get better, but I can't knock the performances over the two games to get the results.
'So I am just focusing on the guys that are here while lots of other stuff goes on in the background, and hopefully we can come out of the end of the transfer window in a good place.'
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