Celtic have begun their Champions League campaign with a bang and there is an air of optimism around Parkhead.
There has been a change of format in the Champions League this season and Celtic are certainly beneficiaries of it.
The likes of Rodri at Manchester City and Alisson Becker at Liverpool are complaining about this revamped format because there are two extra games added.
But, this new league phase means Celtic play more favourable games and, as a result, can put those wins on the board that have alluded them for so long.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have made a 100% start to the new season on the domestic front and that hasn’t stopped in Europe.
The Bhoys put five goals past Slovan Bratislava to begin in the perfect way and they now go into the Borussia Dortmund tie with a bit of bounce in their step.
That’s the biggest test for this side, to face a team that was beaten in last season’s final and opened their account by beating Club Brugge 3-0.
Jamie Carragher thinks this new format is suited to teams like Celtic and he expressed his delight for his old Liverpool manager.
The former centre-back painted the picture of the Scottish champions reaching the knockout stages and how it would be a ‘fantastic’ atmosphere at Parkhead.
Carragher thinks the noise that Celtic generate on Champions League nights, and what they would be able to produce for a knockout match, would be ‘second to none around Europe’, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (18/09/24 at 9:55 pm).
Celtic thrash Slovan Bratislava in Champions League
“You think of Celtic, I think Peter (Schmeichel) said before the game that people he spoke to at the club are delighted with the new format and set-up,” said Carragher.
“Don’t forget. Celtic are one of those teams in the past who probably struggled to get a win under their belt in the old group stage. It’s good for my old manager there, Brendan Rodgers and for Celtic.
“It’s a fantastic atmosphere. The thing is, if they are fortunate to get to a knockout round, then the atmosphere there will be second to none around Europe. It’s a great night for them. They are probably one of the teams you look to that the new format might actually favour and help them.”
Brendan Rodgers’ big chance
The Celtic boss doesn’t have a great record in Europe for any of the teams he has managed, but this is now his chance to put all of that right.
Getting into the play-offs is more than realistic and then the rest will deal with itself.
READ MORE: Kasper Schmeichel’s Champions League reactions at Celtic Park tell a big story
What hasn’t helped in recent years is either Rodgers in his first spell and then Ange Postecoglou not being able to build over a long period in Europe.
As soon as they are comfortable in their seat and cleaning house domestically, they are out of the door, so hopefully, that now changes.
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