Celtic have been on the wrong end of some Champions League thumpings over the years.
Bayern Munich. Paris Saint-Germain. That 6-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid just last season, to name but three.
But as a Celtic side inspired by their Japanese stars put Slovan Bratislava to their Samurai sword on an instantly-famous European night at Parkhead, it was just nice for Brendan Rodgers to be on the other end of a crushing, highly lopsided scoreline at last.
Celtic not only won their Champions League opener for the first ever team. They blitzed it. They pureed, mashed and sliced Slovan Bratislava, with the eventual 5-1 victory arguably flattering the beleaguered visitors more than it did their beguiling hosts.
Arne Engels, the £11 million summer signing, set about repaying his club-record transfer fee with a fizzing corner to set up Liam Scales’ opener. After Kyogo Furuhashi doubled the lead in the 47th minute, following some dazzling work from Nicolas Kuhn, Engels then opened his Hoops account from the penalty spot.
Celtic hammer Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League
A gorgeous finish against the run of play from Slovan’s Kevin Wimmer threatened a fightback, but Celtic snuffed out any fears almost immediately as Kyogo, Reo Hatate and the irrepressible Daezen Maeda combined for the fourth.
A goal made in Japan, but constructed in Scotland.
Substitute Adam Idah then put the glacier cherry on top of the cake with a sublime one-touch finish on the run late on. Celtic securing their biggest-ever Champions League group-stage win in style.
“Of course, I congratulate Celtic on a well-deserved victory, even if it was a cruel one for us,” sighs Vladimir Weiss Sr, the Slovan Bratislava head coach speaking to the club’s official YouTube channel.
“It was played in a fantastic atmosphere. We managed the first-half well, Vlado (Weiss Jr, the manager’s son) had a chance to equalise. Ufortunately, we didn’t score.
“In the second-half, two quick goals decided the course of the match.”
“We lost 1-5. Of course, I can’t be satisfied with the result, but I’m not disappointed with performance. Celtic were very effective. We wanted to play football and I think we left a decent impression, even though we lost by a margin of class.”
Weiss Sr was, however, disappointed by how easy his Slovan side made it for Celtic at times.
Playing into the hands of Rodgers’ high-pressing team, Slovan lost possession countless times in their own half; Callum McGregor and co snapping into tackles for a Hoops side who never once relented in their pressure.
Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi and Arne Engels shine
“You have to appreciate the quality of the opponent, the excellent players and the excellent coach in Rodgers,” Weiss adds. “In the three and a half years with Slovan, it was definitely the most difficult match in terms of intensity.
“It was very instructive for us. We were ready for everything, but that quality showed.”
Weiss then highlighted four areas of the game in which Slovan simply could not live with the reigning Scottish champions.
“Their pressing, passing speed, (their ability to) open the game, (their) one-touch play. They were better at that. They should be congratulated,” the former Slovakia and Georgia manager says.
“At home, we would have a better chance for a better result. It was practically impossible in this atmosphere.
“They have typologically smaller but fast players. We have taller ones. They were faster, more accurate (with their passing), better quality in many phases of the game.
“Celtic deservedly won – but you won’t hear any criticism of my players. I am proud that they are here, the emotion they have given to this club.”
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