Brendan Rodgers on the Celtic Champions League ‘what if’ cleared during second coming as he revisits early hurdles

It might be roasting in Japan but it’s pretty cool for Brendan Rodgers to be chilling in the Far East rather than fighting fires in the Champions League at this time.

The thermometers will top 35 degrees this week as the Hoops take on Yokohama F Marinos and Gamba Osaka in bounce games. However, it’s nothing like the heat Rodgers had to deal with previously. The Irishman has comfortably slotted back into Parkhead and it feels like old times already. He’s delighted some things have changed though – like automatic qualification for the Champions League.

Rodgers had to jump through Hoops to get there last time. It took a heck of a lot to rattle such an experienced boss but negotiating four qualifiers came close. There was a slight shudder when Record Sport brought it up. Twice Rodgers dragged Celtic to the Promised Land – but even those occasions took years off the punters, and presumably the manager too.

Like being fired into a tumble dryer, was how Rodgers described it after one sweat drenched night in the middle of nowhere. The challenges were significant back then.

Rodgers was having to construct his side while competing in arguably the most important matches of the year. He was fighting teams who were already halfway through their campaigns and dealing with the expected raft of pre-season injuries. There would be a centre-back crisis for one round, a right back vacuum the next. One mole would get whacked for another to pop up.

Mr Versatile Nir Bitton became his go-to guy to slot in down the flames and while Rodgers laughs now, it was serious stuff at the time with Champions League dreams in the balance. Going straight into the group stage this time around is beyond a relief.

Rodgers said: “Back then Nir Bitton was like a fire fighter for us! Wherever he was needed, we chucked in Nir, whether it was centre back, centre midfield or wherever.

“But I’ve got to say, the players were brilliant for me. We managed two out of three but sadly didn’t get there in the third season (after defeat to AEK Athens). It was a huge learning experience – but I’ve got to say I prefer the version now.”

No wonder. It’s not just competing when undercooked. The perilous part to the Champions League in the past meant everything was up in air. Rodgers wouldn’t know if he had dosh to spend or he’d have to punt a star player.

He doesn’t have that stress this time around so the fact he’s so chilled out in Japan is understandable. Rodgers said: “It’s brilliant. For so many reasons. You have a plan A and plan B depending on qualification for the Champions League.

“But because of the lateness of qualification, you have to then run about to try to do deals late on. There’s that ‘what if’ scenario if it doesn’t come off, and what it looks like.

“It’s great not to have that element. Where it’s complicated is the unknown. You know you have to prepare but you could have eight games at a stage when a lot of the teams are halfway through their seasons.

“It’s such an important time that can make or break your season. Those were really challenging times. It’s great if you can win your league and go straight into the group stage.

“It just allows you to plan your strategy more from a club and team perspective. You can have practise games where you can try things without having to worry about a massive qualification game the following week.”

There are other bonuses as well. Celtic wouldn’t be able to take a pre-season trip to Japan like this. During Rodgers’ first spell he’d be in Euro action this week rather than spreading the Parkhead gospel around the globe.

Managers and players will usually grit their teeth at these long haul jaunts, while knowing it comes with the territory with being at a big club. But Rodgers knows the bigger picture. Celtic can make a few quid and expand the brand in a market that has opened up thanks to their band of Japanese superstars.

There will be a couple of competitive matches as well but this is about maintaining the club as a worldwide product, which is getting more difficult with the English Premier League and others now squeezing the life out of everyone else.

Rodgers appreciates the Champions League wriggle room to do it though and he said: “It’s also good to have the opportunity for Celtic to travel. This is one of the biggest clubs in the world and to take Celtic to these countries and to supporters is important. Everywhere you go in the world, there will always be Celtic supporters.”

There will be a fair few Japanese ones as well this week for the games against Yokohama F Marinos and Gamba Osaka, given the Far East contingent at the club. Kyogo, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, Yuki Kobayashi and Tomoki Iwata are all back in their homeland and their manager is well aware of the significance.