A little over four months ago, the talk about Celtic football in European football was very different.
They were dismantled by Borussia Dortmund, defeated 7-1 on a miserable night, apparently out of their depth on the upper table.
And yet they regrouped and came up with answers.
Victories against RB Leipzig and Young Boys continued, along with respectable draws against Atalanta, Club Brugge and Dinamo Zagreb, which established an exhibition tie against Bayern.
Bayern, who feels 26 points and 10 places on Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
Bayern, who Celtic deservedly directed in Munich to the Moorbound Stages.
Despite the anguish, it was revealing evidence of to what extent Celtic has progressed in four months.
“There is so much disappointment, but when we take a step back and analyze the fact that we are far from Bayern and we are disappointed to draw, I think that says a lot when you think where we start,” said Schmeichel.
The former Eavel of Scotland, James McFadden, echoed those thoughts: “Celtic suffered there and showed that people were wrong,” he said in SportSound.
“The people who look that will leave ‘Celtic is a really good team.’ All those involved will be destroyed at this time because they will feel that they could have won this tie.
“That tells you how far they have come.”
In the future, Rodgers sees the bases that will allow Celtic to compete with the best teams in Europe once again next season.
Only Aston Villa defeated them in the phase of the League after driving in Dortmund and the Celtic boss insists that his players will be better for their continental experiences.
“We learned some valuable lessons along the way, we played incredible football,” he said.
“It allows us to build. We have made the progress that made me want to return and now we have to end the season with force.
“My unwavering plan is to turn it into an experienced club at this level, where we can go and really hurt the great opponents like Bayern Munich.”
