I WAS BASEL FAULTY BUT BREN CAN GO ONE BETTER

Petrov's 2003 prediction fell short but he's backing Rodgers to go for glory in Europa

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

STILIYAN PETROV saw the devastation in a Celtic dressing room after crashing out the Champions League.

But he insists dropping down in Europe doesn't have to be the end of the world.

Petrov was part of the Hoops side under Martin O'Neill that suffered a shock exit in the qualifiers to Basel back in 2003.

It felt like such a crushing disappointment on the back of impressive displays in the Champions League the previous campaign.

But rather than wallow in self-pity, Celts got stuck into the then UEFA Cup and the charge to the final in Seville became one of the most memorable runs in the club's history.

Petrov made a bold prediction in the Basel bowels - and he reckons the current side needs to have the guts to do something special this season on the back of their collapse against Kairat. The Hoops hero is convinced a Euro charge can lift the mood among fans who have declared war on the club's board, with the campaign to kick off in Belgrade against Red Star next week.

Petrov - who was was at Ayr Races to perform the draw for the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup - said: "I remember when Martin talked about it, I was young and naive. After the Basel game, I did say in the dressing room, 'let's go and win the UEFA Cup'.

"I mean, it was bold and naive at the time. But look what happened. We got really close.

"This is good in football. You've got games and you've got competitions now.

"You can change things. You can go and get results, good results. Celtic can do that. In the Europa League, there's a big possibility.