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EXCLUSIVE: The midfielder believes that Ronny Deila's current squad are already strong enough to make an impact on the competition and is desperate to see them seal a return
Celtic captain Scott Brown is desperate to see his
side return to the Champions League next season after they wrapped up a
fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership title last weekend.
After spending the previous two campaigns playing in Europe's elite club competition, Ronny Deila's side failed to qualify in 2014-15 and instead featured in the Europa League, where they lost out to Inter in the round of 32.
Celtic recovered from a shaky start to the campaign to win the Scottish Premiership and League Cup trophies but Brown acknowledges that it was not quite the same without fixtures against the likes of Barcelona, who were drawn against them in back-to-back-years.
But the midfielder is confident of sealing a return to the tournament - even if there are not many new arrivals in the upcoming transfer window, arguing that the January signings of Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong - along with the growing influence of Norwegian manager Deila – mean that they are in a strong position.
"We miss the Champions League nights," Brown told Goal.
"They are definitely the highlight of playing for Celtic. The days when you go out to Celtic Park are outstanding, the fans are always brilliant and you get shivers down your spine.
"We have brought in two players during January and they have definitely given us a lot of pace, power and flair. That has helped and energised us. It is always good to have a few new faces but the squad that is in there now is good enough to get into the Champions League.
"That is what we need to do. We have been working hard, focusing on how far we can push ourselves and next season is going to be exactly the same. Hopefully we can get back in there.
"Ronny Deila has been brilliant. He has come in and changed the formation we play. He wants the tempo of our training to rise and every day it has been getting higher and higher. It is a good system to play in, good to train in and he has been good in the dressing room with the lads on and off the pitch."
Celtic's latest Premiership title was secured in unusual circumstances on Saturday, with the players on a day off having played the previous evening and seeing their success secured by Dundee United's win over title rivals Aberdeen.
Brown says that another league trophy gives the players immense pride and wants to keep stacking up the honours to see how far the streak of title victories can be extended.
The Scotland star does admit, though, that the club's failure to win a first domestic treble since Martin O'Neill's team in 2001 – a fate sealed by their controversial Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Inverness - was a massive blow that they are eager to put right next year.
"We are definitely delighted to win the title," said Brown. "The main thing was getting across the finishing line and we have managed to do that. Again we have showed why we are the best team in Scotland and hopefully we can show it next season as well.
"I was in the house watching it on the TV and I saw it all coming through. It was a good result for Dundee United. We are all on a group chat together so we were texting back and forward '80 minutes, 90 minutes, boom - game finished, champions, congratulations lads'.
"It is one of those feelings that is just pride. We enjoy playing for the club and to get a trophy at the end of the season means a lot. The main thing is we need to keep doing it. We need to keep winning games, keep winning leagues and see how far it can take us.
"We were so close to the treble. It is devastating. We were one decision away from it but these things can happen and we need to push on.
"Next season is going to be a big one. It is going to be hard again with the amount of games we are playing this year and next year. We need to make sure we win the big ones and push as hard as we possibly can to get this treble."
Brown also paid tribute to midfield team-mate Stefan Johansen, who was crowned PFA Scotland Player of the Year to seal another accolade for Celtic over the weekend.
He said: "Stefan Johansen has been outstanding this season. He came halfway through last season and he works hard, is always in the gym and always gives 110 per cent on the pitch so it is good to play alongside him."
Scott Brown, James Forrest, Kris Commons, Gary Mackay-Stephen and Stefan Johansen revealed the New Balance 2015/16 Celtic FC kit at a live event in front of fans at Celtic Park. Fans can pre-order the New Balance Celtic FC home kit now from either the Official Celtic FC Online Store
After spending the previous two campaigns playing in Europe's elite club competition, Ronny Deila's side failed to qualify in 2014-15 and instead featured in the Europa League, where they lost out to Inter in the round of 32.
Celtic recovered from a shaky start to the campaign to win the Scottish Premiership and League Cup trophies but Brown acknowledges that it was not quite the same without fixtures against the likes of Barcelona, who were drawn against them in back-to-back-years.
But the midfielder is confident of sealing a return to the tournament - even if there are not many new arrivals in the upcoming transfer window, arguing that the January signings of Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong - along with the growing influence of Norwegian manager Deila – mean that they are in a strong position.
"We miss the Champions League nights," Brown told Goal.
"They are definitely the highlight of playing for Celtic. The days when you go out to Celtic Park are outstanding, the fans are always brilliant and you get shivers down your spine.
"We have brought in two players during January and they have definitely given us a lot of pace, power and flair. That has helped and energised us. It is always good to have a few new faces but the squad that is in there now is good enough to get into the Champions League.
"That is what we need to do. We have been working hard, focusing on how far we can push ourselves and next season is going to be exactly the same. Hopefully we can get back in there.
"Ronny Deila has been brilliant. He has come in and changed the formation we play. He wants the tempo of our training to rise and every day it has been getting higher and higher. It is a good system to play in, good to train in and he has been good in the dressing room with the lads on and off the pitch."
Celtic's latest Premiership title was secured in unusual circumstances on Saturday, with the players on a day off having played the previous evening and seeing their success secured by Dundee United's win over title rivals Aberdeen.
Brown says that another league trophy gives the players immense pride and wants to keep stacking up the honours to see how far the streak of title victories can be extended.
The Scotland star does admit, though, that the club's failure to win a first domestic treble since Martin O'Neill's team in 2001 – a fate sealed by their controversial Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Inverness - was a massive blow that they are eager to put right next year.
"We are definitely delighted to win the title," said Brown. "The main thing was getting across the finishing line and we have managed to do that. Again we have showed why we are the best team in Scotland and hopefully we can show it next season as well.
"I was in the house watching it on the TV and I saw it all coming through. It was a good result for Dundee United. We are all on a group chat together so we were texting back and forward '80 minutes, 90 minutes, boom - game finished, champions, congratulations lads'.
"It is one of those feelings that is just pride. We enjoy playing for the club and to get a trophy at the end of the season means a lot. The main thing is we need to keep doing it. We need to keep winning games, keep winning leagues and see how far it can take us.
"We were so close to the treble. It is devastating. We were one decision away from it but these things can happen and we need to push on.
"Next season is going to be a big one. It is going to be hard again with the amount of games we are playing this year and next year. We need to make sure we win the big ones and push as hard as we possibly can to get this treble."
Brown also paid tribute to midfield team-mate Stefan Johansen, who was crowned PFA Scotland Player of the Year to seal another accolade for Celtic over the weekend.
He said: "Stefan Johansen has been outstanding this season. He came halfway through last season and he works hard, is always in the gym and always gives 110 per cent on the pitch so it is good to play alongside him."
Scott Brown, James Forrest, Kris Commons, Gary Mackay-Stephen and Stefan Johansen revealed the New Balance 2015/16 Celtic FC kit at a live event in front of fans at Celtic Park. Fans can pre-order the New Balance Celtic FC home kit now from either the Official Celtic FC Online Store
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