Dermot Desmond praised by Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers

"I am so proud for the football club, firstly for Dermot, Peter and the board. It is great for them."

Boss Brendan Rodgers placed major shareholder Dermot Desmond and chief executive Peter Lawwell at the head of those he mentioned after Celtic reached the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The Hoops lost 2-0 to Israeli outfit Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Turner stadium but a 5-4 aggregate score ultimately vindicated the Parkhead board's decision to appoint the high-profile former Liverpool boss as successor to Ronny Deila in May with European football's elite club competition a priority.