JAMES Milner today insisted that Brendan Rodgers is a better manager now than when he led Liverpool to the brink of their first English title in 24 years back in 2014.

And the England midfielder has predicted the Northern Irishman will ensure Celtic bounce back from their Champions League exit by clinching a place in the Europa League group stages.

Rodgers came in for fierce criticism last week following his side’s aggregate defeat to AEK Athens in the third qualifying round of Europe’s premier club competition.

But Milner, who Rodgers signed for Liverpool in 2015, feels there is no disgrace in failing to successfully negotiate four qualifying rounds.

And he is confident his old boss will recover from that setback immediately by overcoming FK Suduva in the Europa League play-off.

The 61-times capped player feels his former manager’s time at Anfield, where he was sacked after just over three seasons in charge, will prove invaluable during this difficult spell.

“Brendan did well at Anfield and he came so close to ending that long wait for the title,” said Milner. “He’ll be a better manager now for his experience at Liverpool.

“The success he’s had in Scotland suggests that. Brendan did a good job at Liverpool and he’s doing a good job at Parkhead.

“Liverpool’s loss has been Celtic’s gain. He came here and he’s won every trophy so far – he hasn’t lost a cup tie since he came to Celtic, which is ridiculous – no matter what level you’re playing at, that takes some doing.”

Milner added: “The Champions League is very tough, especially when you factor in the number of games Celtic need to play just to reach the groups.

“I’ve played in qualifiers before and people see some of the teams involved, with players they’ve never heard of, and they think it’s going to be easy, but it hardly ever works out that way.

“You find that they’re in the qualifiers for a reason. They might not have the same exposure as the clubs from the biggest countries, but these are hard ties, especially because they come so early in the season.

“All the hard work you have done the year before to get into a position to get into the Champions League qualifiers can be thrown away in a two-legged game. It is tough. European football is obviously important to a club like Celtic.

“I’m sure they’ll be pushing hard to get into the Europa League group stages. That is a great competition as well. Unfortunately, I lost to Seville in the final with Liverpool. Thinking about not winning that European trophy still hurts.

“There is quality in the Europa League from the start, even before the clubs from the Champions League drop in. It’s a very good tournament to do well in."

James Milner will be playing for a Liverpool legends side against a Celtic greats team in A Match for Cancer which will take place at Celtic Park on Saturday, September 8. Tickets are now on sale priced £14 for adults and £6 for concessions.