It was another special European night at Celtic Park on Wednesday as the Hoops made history by winning their opening Champions League group stage game for the first time.
The Scottish champions swatted Slovan Bratislava aside in a 5-1 demolition, with goals from Liam Scales, Kyogo Furuhashi, Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah.
Speaking after the game, a jubilant Brendan Rodgers said: “we couldn’t have asked for a better start – apart from the clean sheet!”, with the manager joking “the competition stops now. We play Bayern in the final.”
Next up is a trip to Dortmund on 1 October before the Hoops host another Bundesliga side - RB Leipzig - the following month, with last season's Europa League winners Atalanta sandwiched in between.
Celtic are already striking fear in their German opponents after last night’s statement win on Europe's biggest stage, with German media outlet Kicker stating, “the two Bundesliga clubs should be warned.” [via Google Translate]
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“Thanks to the resounding win against visitors who were overwhelmed, especially after the break, Celtic are currently in second place in the Champions League table behind FC Bayern.”
“Celtic have won everything since April – the two Bundesliga clubs should be warned.”
Former FC Augsburg midfielder Arne Engels was hailed for his classy performance on his Champions League debut, scoring a penalty and assisting Liam Scales’ opening goal.
“Celtic got off to a brilliant start on Wednesday in their bid to end a long Champions League drought. Arne Engels in particular was almost unstoppable on his debut.
“The [transfer] decision was not without risk for both sides. Arne Engels left the Bundesliga at short notice on deadline day and Celtic Glasgow put a club record sum on the table. Less than three weeks later, it is already clear that the risk was worth it.”
