Brendan Rodgers targets Bhoys improvement

Brendan Rodgers admits Celtic must improve their ball retention ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier against FC Astana.

The Bhoys, who are strong 1.25 favourites to retain their domestic title, produced a credible performance as they went down to Premier League winners Leicester on penalties in a friendly on Saturday and will now turn their attentions back to competitive action.

Having suffered a scare against Lincoln Red Imps, the Scottish champions will need to raise their game if they are to get the better of the Kazakh outfit.

Stanimir Stoilov’s men reached the group stages of last year’s Champions League and will be hoping to make the most of home advantage in Wednesday’s first leg.

Like Celtic, they have already come through the tricky second qualifying round and will be especially sharp, with them currently in the middle of their domestic campaign.

The artificial surface at the Astana Arena also makes life difficult for visiting teams and Rodgers will likely concentrate on ball retention over the next few days.

The Northern Irishman is known for encouraging his teams to control possession and he admits the Bhoys’ work with the ball must improve if they are to get anything from what looks set to be a difficult first leg.

“I’ve watched their games and it looks a much better surface, it looks a fast pitch over there,” he told Celtic’s website.

“I understand the difficulty of the game with their results in the Champions League there last year. “We know it’s going to be a tough game but our preparation is going really well.

We are improving every day, with our fitness levels and our football ideas, but we need to get better with the ball, that’s for sure, but that’s improving and I’m happy.”