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Brendan Rodgers has issued Celtic with an ultimatum that he won’t hang around if they don’t match his ambitions.

The Parkhead boss refused to roll back after voicing his frustration at the failure to get summer signings over the line, with top target John McGinn slipping through the net to join Aston Villa.

Rodgers instead chose to hammer home his point, adamant he won’t stop demanding backing from the board to take the club to the next level in Europe.

Celtic’s Champions League hopes are in the balance as they face a hazardous trip to AEK Athens next week following Wednesday’s 1-1 draw in Glasgow.

The manager denied a rift with Parkhead chief Peter Lawwell in the wake of his comments before the first leg but he did have a word of warning.

When asked is it would be over at Celtic if he stopped pushing for progress, he said: “Yeah. My job is done then. Terminado. Gone.

“But that’s the challenge. You have to test yourself to the limit. You have to be courageous as a club.

“It’s a joy to work here. I love my life here and enjoy being the manager here.

“But it’s no good if I just sit back and get comfortable. Being comfortable is the enemy of progress.

“I never allow it in my own life or professional life. You see it in sports and in industry. The minute you think you’re doing OK it can quickly disappear, and that’s the greatest institutions.

“You have to be mindful of that and keep getting stronger and stronger.”

Rodgers insisted there had been no fallout behind the scenes but having already admitted Celtic are weaker this season, he delivered another clear message to the club’s powerbrokers.

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He said: “Dermott (Desmond ), Peter (Lawwell) and Ian (Bankier) all want what is best for Celtic. Critically, they are major shareholders and run the club. I have to respect that, and I do.

“My ambition is for Celtic. Every manger is ambitious but for me it’s inherently about the club. We’ve done a double Treble, been invincible in one of those seasons, set a British record for unbeaten games.

“We don’t want to stand still. How do we improve? We improve in Europe and in order to do that, it’s simple, is quality players.

“The minute I start thinking otherwise and get comfortable, then progress stops. In football you can’t afford to do that.

“It’s too late once the rot sets in. It’s too late. I’ve always tried to guard against it.

“Especially after our first season, we built on it last year. We want to keep building it.

“I totally respect how difficult it can be, the financial side is tough at times.

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“I have a huge respect for the board here – absolutely. They have run the club strategically very, very well.

“Me coming into here and what I have seen in the past couple of years, I have real good relations with every one of them.

“There is not an issue there at all. My focus is on doing the best for Celtic.

“Deep down I am a supporter but I am also a professional manager. I also look for the help that is needed to take the team to the next level if that is what the demand is. I will always push for that.”

Rodgers is today set to finalise a one year deal for returning defender Emilio Izzaguire and secure Daniel Arzani on a two-year loan move from Man City.

But the chances of bringing Jason Denayer back on loan from City look to have ended, with the Belgian defender set to snub Celts and Leeds United in favour of a move to Galatasaray.