Brendan Rodgers has told the Hoops players and supporters to make Celtic Park a fortress as the club prepare to embark on their first group stage participation in the UEFA Champions League for three years.

Celtic will go toe-to-toe with Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach in the competition and while it looks daunting on paper, Rodgers believes that the three home keys will be key to how the Parkhead side fare against the heavyweights of the tournament.

Adamant that he doesn't want to be in Group C merely to make up the numbers, Rodgers will look to maximise home advantage.

“I think the home games are crucial,” said the Celtic manager. “My experience in the competitions in Europe is that the home games are vital for you.

“If you can pick up your points at home and try and nick something away, which is of course extremely tough, but we’ve got to use the crowd, the amazing support we get at home which will lift the players for sure and make it a real intimidating place for the opponent.

“So if we can get points from home and see what we can get away, notoriously Celtic over many years have it’s been difficult away from home, so that tells you we need to be better in our home games.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers will still look to add to his squad over the coming days with Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell assuring the Celtic manager that he has money to go into the transfer market.

James McCarthy has been linked with a loan move to the club, and certainly an additional midfielder would be welcomed by Rodgers.

Certainly, though, there is a feeling that he has been backed by Lawwell this summer.

“We’ve tried to improve the team and I think we’ve done that,” said Rodgers.

“Obviously we know we’re going into a different competition now, it’s important the club continually moves forward. It’s getting funds now that is astronomical numbers in terms of what it’s had in the last few years.

“So it’s important that you invest that wisely and everyone recognises that. So Peter is very sensible in his approach but also understands him and the board have to keep making steps forward, sensible steps.

“There’s great momentum around the club at the moment, great excitement and we just need to continue with that wave of building and creating something really special here.

“There’s a number of areas and ideas that we’ve looked at. I said I would want a creative player but there’s still a little bit of time to do something.

“You know me I’ll never give away any names or anything but of course there’s lots of speculation but we want to get good players in. There’s lots of keen interest for really good players to want to come here.”

Meanwhile, Stefan Johansen is definitely on his way out of the club with the midfielder in talks with Fulham.

"Stefan's going into the last year of his contract," said Rodgers. "I've found him a really good guy and he's worked hard over pre-season but it's been difficult because he's been unable to reach an agreement with the club.

"I think he's always wanted to play in England so the opportunity has come for him. He wasn't going to sign a new deal so it's one that probably works well for both.

"I don't think it's complete yet but it's something that could happen possibly over the next couple of days."