Barcelona legend Xavi tells Celtic: Don’t sell stars and you’ll be Champions League regulars

BARCELONA and Spain legend Xavi insists Celtic can become Champions League regulars — as long as they DON’T sell off their best players.

Xavi has often spoken of his love or the Parkhead club. And he’s thrilled to see Brendan Rodgers’ side make it into the group stages alongside his old club Barca, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach.

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But the midfield genius fears Celts will sell off their star men — as they have done with the likes of Fraser Forster and Victor Wanyama in the past — and struggle to compete in Europe in years to come.

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Xavi said: “Celtic is a team I have affection for — I was vocal about them belonging in the Champions League — and now they are back, they have to make sure they are there every season.

“The most important thing they can do to achieve that is keep their best players.

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“Before you even think of adding players you have to concentrate on keeping the best ones you have.

“Quality players will not want to join a club where they see the best players are sold every summer.

“The Celtic side that had success against Barcelona lost their top players to the Premier League.

“And that’s a big reason why they spent time outside of the Champions League.

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“I understand it will be very difficult if Manchester City, Arsenal, or any other Champions League club in England came in for them, but I can’t understand the mentality of players who will leave a club like Celtic for a club that maybe is mid-table in England.