This proved a modern-day Celtic Park rarity. The Scottish champions had been dominant towards continental opposition, to the purpose the place they seemed completely at residence. New format, new Celtic, new hazard.
The paucity of Slovan Bratislava will almost certainly be borne out by subsequent Champions League outings however Brendan Rodgers and Celtic had been totally entitled to relish what performed out right here after 12 months upon 12 months of European turmoil. Rodgers and his gamers will journey to face Borussia Dortmund believing this atmosphere needn’t be such a chastising one in any case. Of their thirteenth try, Celtic lastly opened the Champions League correct with victory. This rapidly descended right into a rout, one absorbing so many video games of frustration for Celtic at elite degree. In case anyone had uncared for to note, the star of Celtic’s supervisor is on the rise once more.
The boldness exuded by Rodgers earlier than this fixture owed all the things to an imperious opening to the home season. Celtic, although, had been on this film earlier than; untouchable in Scotland whereas unable to maintain tempo with even mediocre groups in Europe. A key theme of this, a second Rodgers tenure in Glasgow has been re-establishing Celtic as a reputable European drive. Their opposition right here at all times seemed beneficial, which in equity to Celtic has not at all times been the case over the previous decade. Celtic had been the heavy favourites to open the Champions League with a win, which marked unfamiliar territory.
Celtic’s assist have clearly purchased into the Rodgers imaginative and prescient. The crackling environment right here was considered one of expectation moderately than hope. As Daizen Maeda blasted wildly over the Slovan bar inside 4 minutes, Celtic knew they’d capability to breach the visiting defence. Maeda quickly performed a free header straight into the arms of Dominik Takac. The Slovakians fired again, David Strelec watching his shot deflected over when the ahead actually ought to have squared to the marauding Vladimir Weiss. The splendidly frantic opening to proceedings instructed each groups sensed alternative.
Celtic have invested comparatively strongly to assist their Champions League dream. It felt poetic, then, {that a} 2021 buy from the League of Eire and Shamrock Rovers broke the impasse. There was help from a blue chip purchase – the supply of Arne Engels, Celtic’s £11m report signing was chic – however Liam Scales nonetheless displayed tenacity and excellent timing to satisfy the cross. Scales’s ferocious header flew in by way of Takac’s shoulder. The goalkeeper quickly needed to transfer well to disclaim Kyogo Furuhashi at shut vary.
Slovan weren’t with out a counter-attacking menace. Weiss, an ex-Rangers participant, allowed the Celtic defence to recuperate after Cameron Carter-Vickers had miscued a header. Furuhashi was equally wasteful within the thirty fourth minute, snatching at a shot that, at least, ought to have examined Takac. Rodgers would have been irked his workforce headed to the break with a one-goal benefit that underplayed their superiority.
The interval improved Celtic’s efficiency. Nicolas Kühn seemed at risk of working down a blind alley earlier than deceiving the Slovan defence with a pointy, low cross from the best that discovered Furuhashi lurking on the again submit. This time the Japanese couldn’t miss, bundling the ball into the visiting internet together with his thigh. Barring one thing extraordinary, this is able to seal the factors for Celtic. Slovan seemed much more at risk of dropping their self-discipline than bombarding Kasper Schmeichel’s purpose.
Certainly, a second of rashness triggered a Celtic third. Danylo Ihnatenko challenged Alistair Johnston contained in the penalty space when there was no want in any way to take action. Engels stroked residence the resultant spot-kick. Celtic Park may barely consider what it was watching.
Slovan tempered the temper if solely barely and because it was to transpire, briefly. Celtic ought to actually have cleared moderately than provide Kevin Wimmer an opportunity to shoot. Shoot he did; splendidly with the surface of his boot from an angle to go away Schmeichel stranded. The Danish goalkeeper rightly berated his defenders for his or her generosity.
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Maeda was to settle any nerves. Furuhashi handed to Reo Hatate, who flicked via for his rampaging teammate. Maeda’s composure allowed him to complete low past the uncovered Takac. It was as soon as once more a query of what number of Celtic needed to attain.
Two substitutes mixed for the fifth. James Forrest fed Adam Idah, who discovered himself clear via and made no mistake. There ended not fairly the right evening for Celtic; however not far off it.
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