BRENDAN Rodgers has admitted Celtic will never be able to afford a player who can be a stand-out performer in the Champions League and will have to rely on team work to compete in Europe.

Rodgers, whose side booked a place in the last 32 of the Europa League on Tuesday evening despite losing their final Champions League group game 1-0 to Anderlecht, is set to strengthen his squad in January.

But the Northern Irishman, whose team could be drawn to face AC Milan, Arsenal or Atletico Madrid or in February, will not alter his recruitment plans despite the Scottish champions’ latest achievement.

Asked if booking a place in the last 32 of the Europa League had changed his thoughts about who he would attempt to bring in to Celtic during the next window, Rodgers said: “Not really.

“I am pretty clear where we are at as a squad and I am also realistic about what we can bring in. The challenge here is always to push and be the very best we can be despite the resources we have.

“But it is very difficult for us to get that. We will always rely on the collective, we will always rely on the team. There won’t be one player at this level who is a massive stand-out. Our star is the team. That is the way it will always be.”