Winning a third consecutive Clydesdale Bank Premier League title would earn Gordon Strachan's side another tilt against Europe's elite next season.

Celtic suffered a 1-0 defeat by Barcelona in the Nou Camp which ended their interest in this season's competition at the last-16 stage.

They crashed out at the first knock-out stage for the second season in succession, with Kaka's extra-time goal for AC Milan at the San Siro 12 months ago meaning Celtic exited at the hands of the eventual winners.

Celtic trail SPL leaders Rangers by four points and face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup at Pittodrie on Sunday.

Despite the disappointment of last night, Dutch striker Vennegoor of Hesselink is already targeting next season's Champions League, and winning the SPL is likely to earn the Scottish champions a direct ticket to the group stages.

The Hoops frontman said: "Let's hope we are in it next year because this is the best stage on which to play and everybody wants to play against those players that we faced in the Nou Camp last night.

"That's twice now that we've reached the last-16 stage and hopefully we will get another chance next year.

"We have made it past the group stages again in this campaign so that's a positive thing.

"But I'm looking forward to playing in the competition again and we will be doing everything in the SPL to achieve that.

"We have two competitions left now, the SPL and Scottish Cup.

"It is an exciting race in the SPL and everyone is up for it.

"There are a lot of games in March, April and May but we are definitely looking forward to them."

Asked if Celtic had lost to the eventual winners of this season's Champions League, Vennegoor of Hesselink replied: "Let's hope so.

"Last year Milan beat us and went on to win it and I hope it's the same with Barca.

"I like to watch them play because they love to play football.

"It was an experience for everybody to play in these types of games, even for me and I am 29."

The scoreline in the Nou Camp was tight but barely reflected the ease with which Barca reached the next round.

The Catalan club had led 3-2 from the first match in Glasgow, and any hopes of a Celtic comeback were effectively ended when midfielder Xavi flicked Sylvinho's cross over Artur Boruc after only three minutes of the second leg.

Vennegoor of Hesselink admitted a goalless first half was required to give the defending SPL champions any chance of overturning the first-leg deficit.

He said: "We wanted to keep it to nil-nil until at least half-time but it didn't happen, they scored very quickly.

"It wasn't the best first half that we have played but the second half was better."

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell, meanwhile, has praised the behaviour of the vast number of Hoops supporters who travelled to Barcelona.

Barcelona City Council set up a meeting place for visiting fans, knowing several thousand would travel from Scotland without tickets.

A big-screen showing of the match was arranged and the fixture passed off without reports of any trouble.

Lawwell said: "We were absolutely delighted with the welcome extended to us and, despite the disappointing result, this visit has only served to further strengthen the bonds between our two great clubs, and we wish Barcelona every success for the rest of the season.

"The Celtic fans conducted themselves brilliantly during their visit to Barcelona and we are very proud of our support."