The Scottish champions played out a disappointing 0-0 draw with Kazakh side Kairat Almaty in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie on Wednesday (20.08.25) and Rodgers feels that his calls to improve the squad have not been heeded by the board.

The coach said: "We need to improve the squad. There's been clarity around that for a long time. Supporters see that. Hopefully between now and the end of the season, the club will get that and that will support us.

"It's not my decision in the end. I can prepare the players that are here. We are clear on where we need to improve, and for whatever reason we haven't been able to.

"There's only so many ways that I can dress up that we don't have the players here. It was pretty clear. You don't need to look into the future too far.

"You know these games are tough and you want to have players in as quick as you can. But it is what it is. I have to accept where it's at."

Rodgers felt that his team was too "passive" in the game but is confident that they can progress in next week's away leg in Kazakhstan.

He said: "We're disappointed with the result and first-half performance. We didn't start with the intent and mentality we wanted to. We were quite passive.

"We weren't moving as a team as we would like. The second half was better. We started well but couldn't find the breakthrough in the final third of the pitch.

"Of course, you want to take the advantage. I've been here before, having drawn 0-0 in a qualification game - against Rosenborg, a very good team. We went there to qualify and we did, played very well and won.

"There's no doubt we can go there and win. Of course, you want to take an advantage with you. It's still very much in the balance."