Well, friends, what can we say about that except that it gave us everything?
How easy it would have been for the bubble to burst last night. How simple it would have been for us to falter and fall flat on our faces, failing to get the job done. Critics will claim we had an easy opponent, and perhaps they’re right, but we certainly made them look like one — and that’s not easy at any level, let alone on this stage in football.
Before the game, I spent some time at the pub, and the general chat was about how everyone felt we were on the cusp of something special. That feeling is even stronger coming out of the game, but it could all have evaporated in those 90 minutes. I’m not even talking about defeat; a draw would have felt like a loss. Even a narrow win, where we hadn’t played well, wouldn’t have given us the affirmation we were seeking.
And that’s what last night was about: affirmation.
We’re football fans, and we know how easy it is to believe your team is better than it is. Domestic results can fool you into thinking you’re ready for the next level. What we wanted last night was proof that our optimism over the past few weeks wasn’t misplaced.
I didn’t think it was. I’ve been clear on what I’ve seen so far. This is one of the best starts to a Celtic campaign I’ve watched, not just in terms of results, but in the style of play. The football has been electrifying at times, blowing teams away in a way I didn’t expect to see again after Ange’s departure.
But Rodgers has this team playing immense football. It’s exciting, attack-minded, and utilises the full range of talents in the squad. Take Liam Scales, for instance. Who would have thought he’d still be in the side after we spent £6 million on someone we assumed would be his replacement? Yet, here he is, delivering solid performances and fully justifying his spot.
Most of us probably thought Bernardo would start over Hatate, considering the manager’s usual choices in Europe, but Hatate showed why he deserved his place. This is a Celtic team where it’s tough for anyone to break into the squad or stay in it, and as I said before, players will be rotated not because they deserve to be dropped, but simply because that’s the reality at a big club. And this team is now acting like one.
Seeing that kind of football played on the biggest stage in world football was gratifying. It was the kind of performance that puts doubts to rest — the kind of display that says we belong at this level. I’ve said we should be aiming for 15 points in this group, and nothing I saw last night changes that. If anything, I’m more confident that we’re capable of it.
What’s clear is that this team is evolving under Rodgers. Engels looks like he was born to play at this level, and Kuhn — well, it’s like watching a completely different player from the one who had a shaky start. He now looks like a proper asset, and although we shouldn’t reduce him to just that, it’s hard not to be excited about what he brings to the team right now.
Kyogo might have missed a few chances, but he got his goal. Maeda didn’t have his best game, but his overall play was top-class, and he too looks like he belongs on this stage. Every player has raised their game, and that’s incredibly encouraging.
What truly stood out to me, though, was the bigger picture. As much as I try to live in the moment, there’s a part of me always thinking about the broader context. And here’s what should terrify the mob across town: we were 4-1 up in a Champions League match, and we brought over £20 million worth of talent off the bench. When was the last time a Celtic side had that kind of depth? Sure, compared to the super clubs it’s small fry, but for us, that’s huge. No team in Scotland can match that, and it shows just how well-prepared we are for this level.
Rodgers has transformed this team in just 12 months. There’s not a massive difference between the players on the pitch last night and those we had at the end of last January’s window, but the growth is undeniable. We’re not missing Matt O’Riley as much as we thought we would, and while Jota and Abada would have been great to still have around, they’d have had a hard time breaking into this team right now. That’s how strong we are.
I said that for the Falkirk game we could field an entirely different starting eleven and still be confident of getting a result, and this confidence would extend into teams in the top flight, even against the club across town with all their delusions.
That’s how deep this squad is. Right now, morale is sky-high, and although we have tough games ahead — Dortmund and Atalanta will be massive challenges — our fate in this group will be decided at home. And we’ve just blown away our first opponent in stunning fashion. For the first time in the Champions League group stages, we’ve won our opening match. To borrow from the great man himself, we played “pure, inventive, beautiful football.”
I’m buzzing for what’s next. If UEFA decided we should play three games in six days, I’d be happy to watch this team every single one of them. Even as last night’s game fades into memory, the excitement is still there. I’m absolutely buzzing. This feels real.
Perfectly summarised James.
it is real, Dortmund are getting skelped.
“Domestic results can fool you into thinking you’re ready for the next level.”
Like beating Ross County 6 – 0?
Terrific result, but my word Bratislava were dreadful. There’ll be tougher tests to come.
They got there on merit same as the rest.
One central defender away from competing in Europe.
Enjoyed the game immensely and you can only beat what’s in front of you, time and again we have failed to beat opponents deemed inferior, but the job was done professionally, we will be exposed at the back though to better teams, we still have some keystone cop moments, if that could be ironed out, we would be a very difficult opponent for anyone, as we look as though we can score against any team.
We know this wasn’t a great team and we should be beatin them. Tho the attitude was perfect and great tae watch. Granted, the guy took their goal well (which was annoyin tae say the least ), tho it was a moment of clumsy play from us that gave him the chance. Apart from that, hugely pleased with that performance and what an incredible noise at the start. Next 3 games are real testers and a different proposition altogether, so hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves. And full credit where its due tae Liam Scales.
Aye . Done ma coupon . Had them for 3-1
New we would ship 1 goal lol but what a performance from our supporters.
Had to watch it on telly but could see and feel the atmosphere.
Did calmac get man of match seen him wie a silver ball at the end .
Immense performance and ally Johnson had a solid game .
Vladimir Weiss .. who ??
Great Performance and result………must admit I had my doubts when I saw Hatate start
instead of Bernardo but he had a fine game…..keep it up Rio!
Rodgers has changed his style of play. He alluded to this the other day in an interview. Too often when he was first here our play was sterile and weak. Over emphasis on passing and possession at the expense of moving the ball forward. This happened often in the leagues but against SPFL opposition we were always too strong and could wear them down. This got exposed in Europe. A lack of depth didn’t help. Brendan V2 has the team playing much more expensive. Shorter time on the ball, quicker passing and much more emphasis on attack. It’s quite a turnaround. Even playing long balls when it is on is a revelation, something that Ange would have a fit over. So far it’s paying dividends and is great to watch.
Definitely the best Celtic team since Seville 2003. Some other points to note.
Scales took his goal like an outstanding centre forward. He sometimes gets overly criticised when the exact same charge can be levelled at CCV, who never seems to be criticised.
As much as I like Ange, Rodgers is a far superior manager
What has been the universal plea on this site from all contributors? Spend some of that lolly – we will see a much better Celtic team
Schmeichael at 38 is still wonderful. We should have signed him a dozen years ago
We wont win the CL but we can make the last 24
Well, 3 points in our very first game is indeed progress in the CL.
And the squad confidence will be sky high.
Can’t do anymore at this stage?
How actual beautiful is today – Basking in the glow of a magnificent Celtic win in The Champions League…
Top of the league and looking down on a The Sevco…
Not a cloud in the sky (here anyway)…
Off out the sticks here soon with the fishing rod for hours, some fishing by cast, then set up a bobbin float while getting some sun and wiring into the latest book History of Celtic by Pat Woods…
Life is just pure magic as a Celtic (And Clachnacuddin) Supporter these days !
Thank You Brendan (and Connor Gethins @ Clachnacuddin) !
Firstly, congratulations to our manager, players and our fans for a fantastic first night in the CL.
As you say, sometimes these games are the hardest, as the normal CL pre match predictions, involving our club, don’t have the same optimistic outlook, as last night had.
We are never obtuse or arrogant enough to write off, any opponent and Slovan were given the requisite respect, that they deserved. However, we played with the confidence, verve and belief, that our elite manager has now instilled in all of our squad, and it is great to watch. We could easily have surpassed Bayern’s mauling of Zagreb, if chances had been taken, but I don’t think too many will complain at a 5-1 victory!!!
We are playing as a well drilled/coached unit, and the workrate/pressing that we display is fantastic. There were no failures in our team with Johnston and Scales tremendous at the back, Engels looking like a bargain at £11M and who will only get better, whilst Kuhn continues to improve his overall contribution to the team.
The depth in our squad is now tangible, and I’m sure BR will look to further improve this when the January window opens( if he can overcome the board’s tardiness!)
Our twelfth man, played their part, as always, on these nights. Even allowing for the many CL games I’ve attended, the atmosphere when ‘Zadok the Priest,’ is played, still makes the hairs on the back of your neck, stand up. Always a “unique”feeling.
Again, none of us, with our heads firmly screwed on, will ever be tempted to get carried away or too euphoric. There are plenty more tricky & dangerous obstacles to surmount in this competition before we can fully dissect our chances of progression.
However, regardless of age, this is a great time to be a Celtic supporter, so we have to all enjoy these times to the maximum, continually show our appreciation & affection towards our manager and squad, and generally keep smiling ! HH
Gerry, re your last point…
If see anyone over the next couple of days with a
BIG GRIN on their face you can assume, with 99% certainty,
that its a fellow Tim.
H. H.
Same old beast who relies on capitalism (the thing you pretend to hate) on beating up shite teams.Your only real philosophy is being better than ‘them’….Mickey Mouse club who are even confused by their own identity.Still keep on deluding yourselves.
Great post once again Gerry !
HAIL HAIL – Sure it’s a grand old team to play for !!!
Clach, hope you’re well and not overdoing that whisky lol! Save some for Xmas!
Spot on Jim…though us Tims always have a grin on our faces! ??
The new Champions league format could be a real turning point for our European coefficient. We already have 8 points, 6 for qualifying and 2 for last nights win. 8 points is as well as we have done in 9 of the last 10 seasons(our record haul is 10 in season 19/20. What is our potential this year, a cautious estimate of another 3 wins takes us to 14 points. If we qualify for the KO round that’s another 8 minimum which takes us to 22. To put this into context is as many points as the 10th best performing team in Europe last season and as many points as we have amassed in the last 4 seasons combined!