Give Brendan Rodgers time to make full impact say Celtic legends Henrik Larsson and Stan Petrov

Rodgers, like Martin O’Neill, has delivered a Treble in his first season at the club with the next step expected to be progress in a European context.

Whether or not that transpires remains to be seen but while both former Treble winners lauded the achievements of this term, they were keen to offer a reminder that it is still early days so far as the Rodgers regime is concerned.

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"We can't judge this team too early,” said Petrov. “It's Brendan's first season and he needs time. It's going to be tough in Europe but if they progress the way they are progressing then maybe one day (they could reach a European final) but let's give them time to build. If he wants to achieve a European final he will need to add players.

“Ajax have been patient with their players. They've not put much pressure on them but here we are putting pressure on Rodgers to try and reach a European final. I think he will need time. If he can achieve that straight away it would be amazing.”

Larsson, meanwhile, lauded the current Treble winners, insisting that the achievement has to be recognised.

The Swede himself was forever questioned during his time at Celtic as to whether he would be able to replicate his scoring feats in a different league – a question he answered when he won the Champions League with Barcelona and then made a subsequent impact at Manchester United – but he has maintained that in any league, going through a season as invincibles is to be lauded.

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"I've seen Celtic this season and they have done fantastically,” he said. “You can only beat what is in front of you and they've certainly done that.

"This team has so much potential. You don't go a full season without getting beat without being very good. The future will tell what is next for this Celtic side and how great they are going to be.”

Whether Celtic make an impact or not in the Champions League this season remains to be seen but certainly being involved in the group stages helps to attract a better calibre of player.

"It's hard to look into other people's minds but when you are in all the competitions you can attract good players,” he said. “There are three qualifiers for the Champions League and if they get in it will be easier. Guaranteed European football is always a plus.”

Competing even with the second tier in English football has become increasingly prohibitive in recent years given the vast gulf in resources. However, Larsson believes that it is possible to attract players who are hungry to prove themselves.

The striker had opportunities to move to the English Premiership when he was at Celtic, moves he rebuffed at the time because he was settled and confident the Parkhead club could match his own ambition.

"Don't get me wrong,” he said. “I had a good salary my last couple of contracts here. It would be wrong to say otherwise. I had opportunities to go down south but I didn't think it was worth it to go down there to earn a few thousands pounds more.

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“I was happy at Celtic playing in a good team and winning things. I was playing for Sweden and going to the World Cup and European Championships. I really enjoyed playing all the years I was here at Celtic.”

Larsson netted a hat-trick at Celtic Park yesterday afternoon – some things never change - in a 5-2 win in a charity game organised by the Celtic Foundation.

A host of former players turned out for the Henrik’s heroes v Lubo’s legends game with Neil Lennon making is his own inimitable contribution. The former Hoops skipper and manager vomited on the pitch in the opening period, an inauspicious moment even by his own colourful standards.

While Larsson looks as though he could still stroll through a few games, the striker has insisted that he has no regrets about watching a new breed of heroes emerge at Celtic Park.

“I wasn't wishing I was still playing,” he smiled. “I am happy with the career I had. I had a great career and everything has to come to an end. But I have a lot of great and fond memories from Hampden and seeing Celtic winning the game so late was just great.”