Celtic fans have the double delight of enjoying the Friday feeling while seeing their team sit second in the Champions League league phase standings after last night’s results.
Football produces an unnatural mix of feelings. When the going is good, you feel a sense of invincibility that is hard for anyone to tame.
Following Celtic’s thumping victory over Slovan Bratislava, the mindstate will be one experienced by many supporters over the next few days, even if tougher tests against Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta are now visible in the distance.
Either way, the Bhoys deserved every bit of their top billing in midweek and have a chance to crank up the feel-good factor by claiming a place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Falkirk on Sunday.
Many top names in the game have given Celtic their dues for their heroics against Slovan Bratislava. Hoops icon Chris Sutton has now weighed in with his analysis of events.
Chris Sutton loved Celtic’s mentality against Slovan Bratislava
Speaking on Football Daily’s Champions League Debrief, Sutton praised Celtic’s ability to handle Slovan Bratislava with ease despite having ‘pressure’ on their shoulders to get a result over the line.
He stated: “Let’s get it right. The pressure was on them. I mean, you talk about playing against the lowest rank team in the competition.
“You know, I only know too well, Eilidh; 60,000 Celtic fans this evening would have been expecting the team to win. And, of course, it isn’t as simple as all that, especially with Celtic’s recent record in the Champions League.
“It is the perfect start. It gives them a real foothold now in this competition. And I think the draw has been generous to Celtic. If you had a handpicked draw, you wouldn’t have been far off the teams that Celtic have to play coming up. So it’s a start. And that’s all it is.
“I’m sure that Brendan Rodgers and the players won’t be getting too far ahead of themselves. I think it’s Dortmund up next.”
Celtic turn their attention back to the domestic scene
With a place at Hampden at stake this weekend, Celtic won’t take anything for granted against Falkirk, who are also unbeaten this term.
Potential changes will dominate pre-match discussion following the impact of an all-action performance against Slovan Bratislava, so there may be several alterations as Rodgers looks to sustain winning momentum across all fronts.
Celtic are sure to get a rousing welcome on Sunday after sewing the first seed of their bid to secure European progression, but their main focus will now be making sure they maintain their standards at home to John McGlynn’s outfit.
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