RODGERS: WE WILL COME BACK STRONGER

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he expects his Celtic squad to be in a really strong position by the time Valencia will be visiting Celtic Park in the UEFA Europa League on February 14.

The Hoopers were drawn against the Spanish club on Monday in the last 32 of the Europa League. The first leg is scheduled to be played in Glasgow with the return fixture to be held at the Mestalla a week later on February 21.

Valencia dropped from the Champions League having finished third in Group H, a tough group consisting of Italian giants Juventus, three-time Champions League champions Manchester United and the lowly Young Boys.

Their domestic form has been particularly disappointing with the club sitting in 14th on the La Liga table, having drawn 10 of their 16 games so far this season but Rodgers is expecting a very stiff test.

Speaking in a news conference, Rodgers said, “It is another game against a team with a great history, one of the great teams in Spain”.

“It is a long way off but we are delighted to be in there and it is going to be a really good game. If you look at their league form, it has been a very difficult season for them but I think over the past few years it has been a difficult period for Valencia”.

Rodgers has also expressed his desire to strengthen his squad in January, after a difficult summer that saw very important players like Stuart Armstrong and Moussa Dembele reach for the exit.

Celtic had a chance to move to the top of the Scottish Premiership but spurned the chance when they lost 2-0 to Hibernian at Easter Road and the manager believes that his team lacks depth and is determined to address the situation in the summer.