REUTERS
Despite losing 1-0 to Anderlecht last night, the Scottish champions secured third-place in the group and a place in the Europa League.
Celtic thrashed the Belgians 3-0 on their own patch earlier in the competition.
And after both clubs lost their double-headers against Bayern Munich and PSG, it came to straight shootout between the Bhoys and Anderlecht.
Celtic prevailed this time, but Rodgers is not confident of repeat success next term.
“It will become even more difficult for us,” he said.
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“Next year, it doesn't get any easier, it only gets more difficult”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
"We have to be realistic in terms of European football.
"We are a long, long way behind in relation to budgets and structures and other things at the very top level.
"What we have to try and do is somehow bridge the gap. The club hadn't qualified for the Champions League for a few seasons, now we have qualified for the last two seasons, which is brilliant.
"We want to make the next step once we have qualified; can we have European competition?
PA
"Of course we want to have Champions League but you have to be realistic. You are not going to finish ahead of PSG and Bayern Munich over the course of games.
"Could we challenge the third place team in the group, Anderlecht, who work on a bigger budget than us and we did that.
"So next year, it doesn't get any easier, it only gets more difficult.
"So that's our position and where we are at in the European game.
"We have to somehow develop a way we can maybe bridge the gap and allow us to fight for that second position."
Celtic will play their Europa League last-32 tie in February.
They return to domestic action on Sunday away at Hibernian.