A lot of the talk about the new manager and Brendan Rodgers’ name in particular has thrown up discussion about our ambitions for the next season.

Many supporters have advanced the argument that Brendan Rodgers is a safe pair of hands as he can continue our domestic domination and stay clear of Michael Beale’s side. When it comes to Europe, fans are much more split on the matter.

So what are our ambitions?

Is it simply to win the league title? Is another treble in our sights? Or do we want to finally progress beyond Scottish shores and do something of note on the continent for the first time since our run to the last 16 of the Champions League in 2013?

For me, Celtic should always be about more than domestic football. Our history as European Cup winners and three time British Cup holders should demand that.

Clubs with smaller budgets than us have outperformed us in Europe recently, particularly at Europa League level. That’s got to be our remit, to do better in Europe, alongside the bread and butter of securing the league title.

We have dominated Scotland for over two decades, to progress as a club we have to look to the next step, and what better time to do so than next season, when we have a very strong squad, guaranteed Champions League football and a significant transfer budget.

There’s no doubt that Europe’s elite dramatically outspend us these days, meaning that third spot in the group and a run in the Europa League is the best chance of success. However, disparity in budgets doesn’t mean we should throw the towel in.

Indeed, while the financial gap may have grown it is hard to argue that the 11 v 11 has changed much since the days of Gordon Strachan. The line ups from our victory over AC Milan and draw with Man United in mid 2000s demonstrate that:

Celtic – Boruc, Perrier Doumbe (Kennedy 79), Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, McGeady (Nakamura 85), Hartley, Donati, Jarosik (Killen 84), Scott Brown, McDonald.

Milan – Dida (Kalac 90), Oddo, Nesta, Bonera, Jankulovski, Ambrosini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf (Gourcuff 55), Kaka, Inzaghi (Gilardino 76).

Celtic – Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson, Hartley, Scott Brown, Robson, Maloney (O’Dea 75), McDonald (Hutchinson 81), Sheridan (Donati 63).

Foster, Rafael Da Silva (Evra 66), Ferdinand, Vidic, O’Shea, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani (Berbatov 46), Tevez (Rooney 71), Giggs.

Let us be ambitious this term and include Europe with our domestic aims.

Liam Kelly

HUGE SAVINGS IN THE CELTIC STAR’S FATHER’S DAY SALE! BECAUSE YOUR CELTIC DA’S WORTH IT!

The Celtic Star’s Father’s Day Promotion is in full swing with hundreds of books already on their way destined for Celtic Dads and Grandads on Sunday 18 June. We’ve reduced all six books currently available from their usual retail price of £20 and prices are as low as £6 (see below).

All books are high quality hardback, with some signed by the author. And it’s also worth noting that you only pay postage on one book, so it’s free for the second, third and so on. ORDER HERE or click on The Celtic Star image above…this is how it feels to be Celtic!