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Brendan Rodgers' tactics got Celtic through, says Andy Walker

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Sky Sports' Andy Walker says Celtic will benefit from the increased spending power of being in the Champions League

Celtic were awful but they made it, just.

Whether the defining moment was Scott Brown's fifth goal at Celtic Park or Craig Gordon's crucial penalty save last night at 0-0, it doesn't really matter because the end result is the same.

Thankfully, Celtic will once again be able to mix it with the big boys.

Make no mistake, the Champions League is now a better competition with Celtic confirmed to take their place in the group stages of Europe's premier club competition following their success in their final qualifying tie in Israel against Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

Celtic fans in safe standing section during Champions League qualifier against Astana at Celtic Park
Image: Celtic fans in safe standing section during Champions League qualifier against Astana at Celtic Park

No matter who they are drawn against, Glasgow will be a wonderful place to be when the champions League soundtrack of Zadok the Priest resounds around Celtic Park and the rest of Europe can see what it's like to play in front of some extraordinary supporters.

To be blunt, after the dull period of Ronny Deila's reign, Brendan Rodgers was brought in to deliver Champions League football and his pedigree and decision making under pressure ensured that during the difficult moments of the tie, his tactical changes turned the game Celtic's way.

Celtic progress after scare
Celtic progress after scare

Hoops qualify for Champions League group stage

At Celtic Park in the first leg, he gave both the crowd and players a lift by putting on an extra striker and midfield player that brought another couple of goals.

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Last night with the game slipping away from him, he reverted to a three-man central defence with two deep wing-backs to keep the Israelis at bay at a time when they were completely dominant and it worked a treat. Both calls affected the outcome of both ties and in the end made all the difference. 

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Sky Sports commentator Alan McInally describes how Celtic 'fell over the line' against Hapoel Be'er Sheva to reach the Champions League group stage

I imagine that once the sheer relief and delight at the prospect of mixing it with the cream of European football settles down, Rodgers will realise how vulnerable his team can be away from home. Not for the first time on the European stage, Celtic were unable to control any part of the game and their simple passing, use of the ball and possession was yet again really poor.

If Celtic hope to even threaten to qualify for the knockout stage, that mentality has to improve.

Celtic windfall for Premiership rivals
Celtic windfall for Premiership rivals

Celtic's Champions League success brings cash boost to Scottish rivals

Even now, I can see that five-man defence with pace in the wider areas being the main option away from home. The best form of defence at any level is actually keeping hold of the ball for a while and growing into the game. The guaranteed six games against top quality opposition is exactly what Rodgers players need to improve, especially from a Scottish point of view with Kieran Tierney, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths in the team. 

Celtic's Leigh Griffiths (left) and Kieran Tierney celebrate at full-time
Image: Celtic's Leigh Griffiths (left) and Kieran Tierney will benefit from the experience of playing the world's biggest clubs

From here, it will also be interesting to see how Brendan Rodgers handles Scotland's No 1 Craig Gordon. He couldn't have been more complimentary towards Dorus de Vries when he signed the former Dunfermline goalkeeper from Nottingham Forrest last week.

Gordon made a crucial first half penalty save but was at fault for the Israelis second goal. Gordon insists he was blameless but Rodgers may take a different view.

Celtic's place at the top table will also bring mixed reviews at home. To most people, it's good news for Scottish football in general. Any top flight league has to be taken more seriously when their champions are going head-to-head with some of the best sides Europe can offer.

Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon (left) and Saidy Janko after Hapoel Be'er Sheva score their second goal
Image: Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon (left) and Saidy Janko after Hapoel Be'er Sheva score their second goal

But it also brings a financial windfall of anything up to £30m for Celtic, setting them even further afield from the rest of Scottish football. As Leicester City showed last season, it's not always how much you spend that guarantees success. But my God, it does make it easier.

AND ANOTHER THING

I was very surprised that Celtic chose not to appeal the yellow card given to Leigh Griffiths by referee Craig Thomson in last weekend's 4-2 win at St Johnstone. There was clear contact between attacker and defender and sure, debatable whether it was a penalty or not but it certainly wasn't worthy of a yellow card.

Rodgers: My longest 90 minutes
Rodgers: My longest 90 minutes

Brendan Rodgers suffers 'longest 90 minutes' of his career as Celtic reach Champions League proper

The sooner clubs make a stance on this ridiculous anomaly we have here that allows a retrospective two-game ban for a yellow card offence the better. And on the same issue, simply referring to footballers as cheats is the type of language we should leave to those who continually get their knickers in a twist over this subject.

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