Celtic will receive elite billing tonight as they make their Champions League league phase bow against Slovan Bratislava this evening.
The Bhoys will feel emboldened regarding their chances amid an exciting run of fixtures, including trips to Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Aston Villa and Dinamo Zagreb.
However, home matches may be the best source of points for Celtic in the new Swiss-style format. Striking early will be important, so there is an added emphasis on Brendan Rodgers claiming three points against Slovakia’s reigning domestic champions.
Some stat trackers have been kind to Scotland’s sole Champions League representatives. It is claimed that Celtic have a 57.2% chance of progression to the knockout playoff phase based on their draw, with an average of 9.7 points earned possibly being enough to achieve that feat.
Nevertheless, football is seldom that straightforward. BBC pundit Michael Brown has now weighed in on why tonight’s clash could shape the Hoops’ league phase permutations.
The Celtic permutations tonight’s result could shape
Speaking to BBC Sport’s The Football News Show, former Premier League stalwart Brown has cited Celtic’s clash against Slovan Bratislava as a potentially ‘huge’ opportunity to get their Champions League campaign up and running.
He stated: “It’s huge, isn’t it because of the starting point. You look at the level of fixtures that are coming their way, this one at home is the game you want to set the tone. You can imagine the atmosphere is going to be absolutely incredible.
“How do the players go and approach it? I feel like it’s a game you’ve almost got to take the points, you’ve got to get off to a good start. I think the level of opposition gives you the opportunity to do so.
“It’s a pressure-run club where, at times, you’ve got to go on and get results week in, week out. Ultimately, they’re used to that for certain that they have to get a result. I think this will be one of those you feel like you’d be failing if you don’t go and get the result at this level.
“Why are you in the tournament if you can’t get this type of result? It does happen in the Champions League that you might not get off to a good start for certain, but I feel like they can really test the game here and really put the pressure on.”
Celtic know what they have to do against Slovan Bratislava
Sometimes, the phrase win at any cost doesn’t apply to Celtic. Supporters want to see a stylistic brand of football to accompany results; it is just part of the standard at this club.
Nevertheless, most would make an exception for tonight as long as three points are slotted beside the Bhoys’ name in the league phase table.
Winning is all that matters tonight. In the past, winnable matches in the Champions League have slipped through Celtic’s fingers, but you get the impression that Rodgers will do everything in his power to ensure that doesn’t happen this evening.
Now, it is over to the Irishman and his players to walk the walk. Should they manage to emerge victorious, the optimism surrounding his side’s prospects will only continue to grow.
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