Brendan Rodgers believes the signs are good for Celtic going forward following Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Barcelona.

The Bhoys were embarrassed 7-0 in the Nou Camp back in September but showed much more resolve and tactical acumen as they restricted the Blaugrana to just a brace from Lionel Messi in the return game at Parkhead.

Despite their spirited display, the result means the Scottish champions will head into their final Group C game away at Manchester City with nothing to play for, after Borussia Monchengladbach sealed the pool’s Europa League spot courtesy of their 1-1 draw with Pep Guardiola’s men.

Rodgers was anything but despondent after Wednesday’s game though and there is no doubt his side have improved as the competition has gone on.

He will now be looking to pick his troops up ahead of their first shot at silverware, when they take on Aberdeen in Sunday’s final of the Scottish League Cup.

Celtic are 1.50 to win at Hampden, with the draw 4.20 and the Dons priced at 6.00. Rodgers believes his players can take great heart from their performance on Wednesday and says it will give them plenty of confidence going forward.

“If I look back to the first game and to tonight, you are looking for improvement and I thought there was significant improvement,” he said.

“The way we pressed the game was good and we were defensively solid. Barcelona didn’t have as many chances as they normally do.

“We have gradually got better with each game in this group and the challenge is to make sure we get into it next year. Each year the club is in it, it improves and that is our ambition.”