Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers relishing ‘wonderful challenge’ of facing Valencia

CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers is looking forward to the “wonderful challenge” of facing Valencia.

The Hoops host the Spanish side in the first leg of the Europa League last-32 tie at what is sure to be a packed Parkhead.

The Northern Irishman is excited by the prospect of the encounter and is encouraging his players to be confident.

He said: “As you would expect from a team that has lost only four (league) games this season in a fantastic league, they are a very good side.

“They are historically one of the big clubs in Spanish football.

“They play a 4-4-2 system, with good movement – a very fast team especially when they turn over the ball and we will anticipate a really tough game. But it is a wonderful challenge for us.

“We play against these good teams but I reinforce to the team, we are also a good team, that’s why we are in this stage of the competition having got out of a really tough group.

“So it should be an amazing evening with the support and the atmosphere generated and it is up to us to generate that for the supporters.

“So yes, it is a big challenge but one we will embrace.”

Celtic have won all seven games since the turn of the year, scoring 21 goals and conceding none which adds to Rodgers’ belief.

He said: “We got into it in a really high level in terms of how we have been playing and in terms of confidence.

“This is a different challenge for us but we couldn’t have arrived into it in a better moment.”