BRENDAN Rodgers has proved rather adept at breaking records and making history since being appointed by Celtic nearly three years ago now.

His first season as manager at Parkhead saw his side go undefeated in domestic competition – something that no other top flight team from this country had ever done before - and win the Betfred Cup, Ladbrokes Premiership and William Hill Scottish Cup.

Last term he followed that up by becoming the only man ever, in Scotland never mind the East End of Glasgow, to lead a team to consecutive trebles.

It is just as well the Northern Irishman has shown such an aptitude for achieving noteworthy firsts; his men will have to produce another two against Valencia in the Mestalla here this evening to spring a huge surprise and progress to the last 16 of the Europa League.

Celtic have never won in Spain in the 57 years they have been involved in continental competition – since an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup game against Valencia away back in 1962 – and they have never overcome a two goal deficit away from home either.

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The Scottish champions, who lost the first leg of their last 32 double header at home last week, require to do both at the same time tonight to remain in Europe.

There was an air of resignation among the supporters enjoying themselves in the city centre bars here last night ahead of what is, regardless of the noises emanating from both Rodgers and his captain Scott Brown publicly at the pre-match press conference last night, to all intents and purposes a dead rubber.

Nobody who was at Parkhead last Thursday, when the home team were utterly outclassed by the visitors and fortunate only to lose 2-0 at the end of 90 disheartening minutes, is holding out much hope of an upset going into the rematch.

A full-strength Celtic side, with Filip Benkovic in the centre of defence, Kieran Tierney at left back and Tom Rogic just off the lone striker, might have had a chance of competing with their expensively-assembled hosts and claiming what would be a famous victory.

But Rodgers has to decide whether to play Emilio Izaguirre, who looked shellshocked after his defensive limitations were cruelly and repeatedly exposed by the La Liga outfit seven days ago, or Jonny Hayes, a fringe player whose preferred position is on the wing, at left back. It is hardly an embarrassment of riches.

The former Swansea City and Liverpool manager was deeply unhappy, the record £9 million signing of Odsonne Edouard from Paris Saint-Germain and the capture of Benkovic on loan from Leicester City for the season aside, with the recruitment Celtic carried out in the summer and wasn’t shy in saying so.

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When his side try to compete against opponents from the biggest and best leagues in Europe you realise why he was so upset. Still, Rodgers has not written off their chances. “Listen, we all recognise that we stand a much better chance at a place like this if we have all our best players available,” he said. “That’s the reality. However, if we don’t then we have to look to find away.”

Many fans and pundits believe Rodgers has to accept his fair share of responsibility for the predicament that Celtic find themselves in too. His stubborn refusal to alter his tactics and take a more defensive approach in games against foreign opposition has led to some heavy and humiliating defeats in the past three seasons.

Some feel taking a pragmatic rather than an idealistic stance - going direct instead of continually trying to play the ball out from the back - against Valencia may have resulted in a different outcome.

But Rodgers said: “We have to find a way in Europe. Is it defend on the edge of our 18 yard box for 90 minutes, suffer, maybe get a point, just lose 3-0 instead of 6-0? That’s not me.

“But that’s not to say I go out, just open the whole pitch up and let people run through us. You have to bear in mind that some of the heavier defeats we have taken in Europe have been against teams who have done it to other teams. Yes, Barcelona beat us 6-1, but they also did it to PSG.

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“It’s about trying to bridge that gap between the level we play at domestically to then coming in against top European teams. We’ve shown that when we are concentrated and play to our level, we can get a result. Leipzig at home and Anderlecht away are examples. But you have to play consistently to that.

“As a club, the players will gain more out of it by having the belief and confidence to play. Fundamentally, it’s the same as how we play domestically, although of course there is more dominance there. It’s about how we defend, that’s the starting point. From there, you play football. At this level, it’s a different level of player, a different physicality and technical ability. At times it has been tough for us, especially if we have made mistakes.

“Valencia are a team who play on your mistakes. They are not really pressing you aggressively or coming after you. They sit in a block, that’s the philosophy and how they play. They are waiting on your mistakes, so the key is don’t make so many of them and concentrate.”

Rodgers added: “Listen, our intent will always be that we go with that belief that we can get a result. That’s why we look to start games well with that belief and motivation.

“We need to find ways in the game whenever we come unstuck a little bit to play our way through that and defend our way through and not make mistakes. That’s about concentration. You know you aren’t going to have the whole game.

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“Valencia are a team who play on your mistakes. They are not really pressing you aggressively. That’s the philosophy. They are waiting on your mistakes, so the key is don’t make so many of them and concentrate.”

There have been times when Celtic have won away and what is more won away with style during Rodgers’ tenure – against Anderlecht in Belgium in the Champions League last season and Rosenborg in Norway this term – so nothing can be ruled out.

Rodgers has fond memories of the the Mestalla - Northern Ireland beat Spain in the 1982 World Cup here and he was on the bench when Chelsea defeated Valencia in the Champions League in 2007. But it will be one of the greatest achievements of his reign if Celtic can beat Valencia and go through.