‘It’s different’: Kenny Dalglish now shares the one thing Celtic must do to progress in the CL this season

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Away from domestic duty for a minute, Celtic have the daunting prospect of facing Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Brendan Rodgers must take something from the La Liga giants if they are to keep their hopes of staying in Europe after Christman this season.

Rooted to the bottom of Group E, Rodgers will be keen to add to his points tally and take Celtic further than he ever has before in the competition.

But to do that, he will need to do something that is completely different to what they are used to. That’s according to Kenny Dalglish.

Kenny Dalglish tells Celtic what they must do for CL progression

The former Celtic hero believes that the Hoops must stop being so attacking, especially when they go a goal in front. Their gung-ho approach is costing them and Dalglish believes that taking a more defensive approach will help to improve their chances of picking up results.

Dalglish said [The Sunday Post print edition page 80], “They need to learn that when they go in front they must slow things down and take the sting out of the game.

“But that is easier said than done. I totally accept that. Part of the reason for that is it’s an alien concept to Celtic most weeks of the season.

“My former club is used to being on the front foot in almost every domestic game they play and trying to score goal after goal.

“It’s not often that they are asked to defend. Sure, it’s different against Rangers and that can be more of a ding-dong. But that’s only four times a year.

“In the bulk of league matches, urged on by the crowd, home or away, they feel the need to keep banging the goals in.

“If they get one, they are under pressure to get two. If they get two they are urged on to get three. And so it goes on.

“It can’t be that way in Europe, particularly at Champions League level.

“It is an unforgiving arena and, most times, any mistake or lapse in concentration will be punished.”

Celtic have found to their cost against Feyenoord and Lazio that small mistakes can lead to big consequences in Europe.

Against Atletico, the Hoops impressed with their overall game and it seems like Rodgers is starting to get that attacking/defensive balance.

But on Tuesday, Celtic are likely to be defending more as Atletico will come out of the traps as they aim to win the group.

Hopefully, Celtic will take something from Diego Simeone’s men to keep the European dream alive. It will be tough but it is not impossible.

In other news, ‘I’ve said it before’: £15pw Celtic star speaks about signing a new contract at Parkhead