Thomas Rogne: We'll paint pretty picture after drawing a blank

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Thomas Rogne: We'll paint pretty picture after drawing a blank

THOMAS ROGNE reckons Celtic have shown they are ready to hold their own in the Champions League this season.

Thomas Rogne believes a point is a solid platform for Celtic to mount challenge upon. Picture: James Galloway
Thomas Rogne believes a point is a solid platform for Celtic to mount challenge upon. Picture: James Galloway

Neil Lennon's side kicked off their Group G campaign with a goalless draw at home to Benfica at Parkhead in a match that produced little in the way of goalscoring opportunities with both defences on top throughout the showdown.

Although the key to qualification could rest with their home form, Rogne was more than satisfied to earn a share of the spoils on matchday one against a side with far more experience when it comes to operating on the European stage.

"I think a draw at home to Benfica is quite a good start for us," said Rogne. "It's important to try and get points on the board as quickly as possible and take something from your first game and we have managed to achieve that.

"We would have preferred to win the game and collect all three points but the result was still okay for us. I thought we played well and there wasn't really anything between the teams so we must take a great deal of confidence from the way we performed.

"Benfica are a very good side technically and they have a lot of skilful players, however, I thought we also showed we have a lot of quality within our team. Hopefully we can continue to show that throughout the group section."

Rogne – who started the game on the bench before taking over from Mikael Lustig during the second half – also hopes his team-mates can prove quick learners at Champions League level and push for qualification in Group G.

He admitted: "Compared to other teams we maybe don't have a lot of Champions League experience.

"Scott Brown was the only player who had played in the competition for the club four years ago and I think Mikael Lustig was the only other player to have played in the groups.

"But I believe we have benefited from playing in the Europa League last season. We played against some very good sides, such as Atletico Madrid, Udinese and Rennes.

"They are of a similar quality to the teams you would expect to play in the Champions League.

"So that has helped us I feel. Also, we have a lot of inter- national players and we won the championship last season and all that has helped us. And, of course, the crowd are fantastic on these nights and help keep all the players going which is an added bonus.

"Everyone knows the Champions League is the best level at club football and you are up against the best teams and the best players in Europe. It is great for us to be playing at this level, it is where everyone wants to be, but we also want to make sure we do well."

The big question now, after Barcelona defeated Spartak 3-2 at the Nou Camp is, are the SPL champions capable of finishing second in the group to reach the knockout stage of the competition?

"We will have to see," said Rogne. "We must just take it one game at a time and see where it takes us. Barcelona, of course, will be big favourites to win the group and they are possibly the best team in the world so that is not a surprise.

"But Benfica are also a very good team and so are Spartak Moscow, so it is a difficult group although we feel we can do well. Spartak must have played well away to Barcelona to have been in the lead at one stage, so even although they lost the match I'm sure they will take heart from their display.

"So there is everything to play for and all the teams involved will feel they are good enough to finish in a good position in the group."

For Celtic, it is off to Spartak next and Rogne knows their away form could prove crucial as points on the road make such a difference.

"If you can take points from your away games then it gives you a much better opportunity to do well in the group," added Rogne. "It is important to defend well away from home, as it is at home, and make the most of any chances at the other end.

"For now, though, we must focus on our league form and try to improve that before we turn our minds to the Champions League again in a fortnight."

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