Brendan Rodgers has urged Celtic to go and secure European football after Christmas as the Parkhead side kick off their Europa League campaign against Rosenborg this evening.

The competition will always play second fiddle to the UEFA Champions League but Rodgers has insisted that this term Celtic have to see themselves as a Europa League team – and to go and make the best of that.

“We want to be in Europe after Christmas,” said Rodgers. “That’s our aim. It’s good games for us, a good group, so you want to be winning your home games then see what you can get away from home and that gives you a great chance to qualify.

“The Europa League has always been deemed secondary to the Champions League. That’s where all the glory is and all the rewards. But over the coming years you can see there will be more money invested in that side of the game as well.

“There are some top class clubs in the competition. So for us it’s a competition we haven’t been in for a couple of years - but we are not entitled to be in the Champions League team. We want to do the very best we possibly can in it.

“It will always be a challenge for us whatever comp we are in, but we have to embrace it and do our very best.

“We know where we are at as a club in relation to European football and everything else, but we have to do our best and hopefully we can show in this competition the experiences we have had the last couple of years and be better for that and see if we can go further than last year.

“We didn’t qualify for the Champions League this year because we weren’t good enough, circumstantial or not. We weren’t good enough to qualify so that’s where we are.”

As has been the norm over the course of the European campaign this summer, Rodgers does not have his injury issues to seek.

Jack Hendry is fit but Jozo Simunovic is sidelined while Norwegian defender Kristoffer Ajer is a doubt to face the team from his homeland.

“Kris has had a viral issue,” said Rodgers. “To be fair to him he’s played through especially the last game against St Mirren.

“He’s post viral so we just need to assess him but he could be a big doubt.”

“It’s unfortunate but we just have to get on with it. Kris has been brilliant since he broke into the team and my plan has been to try and give him some sort of break.

“He came in last November and has virtually trained every day and played every game.

“Because he’s so imposing you forget he’s not long turned 20.”

Filip Benkovic made his debut for the club in Friday night’s 0-0 draw with St Mirren and could be set to keep his place.

“It takes time to settle in but he’s come in and mixed well with the group,” said Rodgers. “He has qualities, he’s a big dominant player and he has a good passing range while also wanting to win his headers.

“It will be a physical test here for him but it’s what he needs at this stage of his development.

“He can play football – he’s young and progressing but he’s done well.

“All the players here are a good group in a supportive dressing-room.

“He wants to work and get better and he’s in a good place.”

Simunovic had a scan on his knee this week and the club are currently monitoring the situation with the defender.

“He had his knee looked at so there’s no timeline on that,” explained Rodgers. “He’s had issues with both of his knees so he went for a scan and he needs rest for a week or so and we’ll take it from there.”