A lot has been product of the monetary riches on provide for sides who make it to the promised land of Europe's elite competitors, however rather more than that was on the road for Celtic in Kazakhstan.
Over the past three seasons, the membership had made themselves an everyday within the competitors and had been an agonising Alphonso Davies aim away from reaching the knockout section of final season's competitors.
“The Champions League is an excellent competitors,” stated a crestfallen Rodgers after his aspect didn't make it for a fourth consecutive season.
“However as we at all times can we should stick collectively as a squad. It is a robust one to take, however we did not do sufficient over the 2 legs.
“From the primary day again they have been good, domestically we have began nicely, however at this stage, even with groups that do not fairly have the standard, you continue to want that little bit of additional finesse and precision.”
Qualification for the top-level competitors brings round 18m euros (£15.5m) for every membership. On high of that, you'll be able to add ticket gross sales, merchandise, extra sponsorship and a whack of company money.
Compared, dropping into the Europa League takes that 18m euros (£15.5m) to simply above 4m euros (£3.46m). A win is price 450,000 euros (£388,000) as an alternative of 2m euros (£1.73m).
Neither aspect regarded like scoring the important aim because the tie headed for the shootout, and Celtic captain Callum McGregor made the stark admission that the aspect did not should progress.
“We did not should qualify,” he stated within the aftermath of the defeat, settled on penalties after a goalless attract each legs of the tie.
“We have now to regroup, we all know we've got a giant sport on Sunday [against Rangers] as nicely.
“It is an actual sore one for the membership basically by way of the funds and every part else.
“We nonetheless need assistance, we nonetheless want our bodies within the door and hopefully the membership can try this.”
