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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Brendan Rodgers' 'five-year plan at Celtic revealed' as European trophy targeted

Brendan Rodgers will reportedly target a European final spot within five years at Celtic.

It's claimed the prospective Celtic boss privately holds lofty ambitions ahead of a return to Parkhead.

And one of those is to take Celtic to a European final within five years as part of his vision when he completes a move back to Glasgow.

Rodgers was flawless domestically during his tenure as Celtic boss but struggled somewhat in Europe.

Should he return, it's claimed he has sought assurances over receiving the necessary backing to make Celtic competitive in European competition.

The Daily Mail report Rodgers has been given assurances by Dermot Desmond that there will be scope to invest in players and infrastructure this time round.

For Rodgers, his ambition is to make a European final with Celtic - with the club not having achieved the feat since 2003 - and watching Rangers make the UEFA and Europa League final since then.

Rodgers was close to a Europa Conference League final with Leicester last season having guided the club to a semi-final.

And it's claimed his belief is that a European final within five years should be a target for Celtic.

Meanwhile, former Celtic candidate Enzo Maresca has taken over at Leicester in Rodgers' old job.

The Italian coach - who assisted Pep Guardiola at Manchester City was in the running for the Parkhead vacancy.

Talks were delayed until after the Champions League final - but Rodgers emerged as the preferred candidate.

And Maresca quickly moved onto a different opportunity at Leicester with the goal to achieve promotion back to the Premier League after relegation last season.

After his appointment, he said: “I’m very excited because of the Club [I’m joining] and because we have a big season ahead of us.

“At the beginning, the target is to play in the best way we can. From there, we can build, day by day, our idea and our philosophy, and the most important thing is to try to win games.

“First of all, we’re going to give 100 per cent, absolutely, because the Club deserves this. It’s our job, our duty to do that. Then, as I said, day by day, step by step, absolutely we’re going to improve.”

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