Celtic enter the Champions League on Wednesday night hoping to show their credentials as candidates for a top 24 play-off position.
That’s the stated end goal for Brendan Rodgers in the newly expanded tournament, which consists of a giant 36-team table that will reward those who make it into 24th and above.
Slovan Bratislava are first up. The Slovakian champions travel to Glasgow, with or without their manager, having come through four qualifying rounds this summer. They’ve earned their spot the hard way and are motivated to get a result.
Winger Vladimir Weiss Jr – son of the team’s boss – thinks they can ‘definitely get something’ on the road despite going into the match as underdogs.
Weiss looking to ‘put up a good fight’ vs Celtic
The former Rangers attacker said [Daily Record]: “We think we can cause an upset and get something against Celtic. If Slovan was playing any of the 36 teams in this big Champions League, they would be favourites against us.
“So that’s the case with Celtic. We are at the very bottom. But look, we’ve climbed the ladder and played four qualifying games to reach the Champions League. That was amazing, incredible. We have some great talent in the team and some good experience.
“We have my crazy dad as coach who always pushes his teams to the limit. Celtic fans will remember him from when he knocked them out of the Champions League with Artmedia almost 20 years ago.
“So I know we can definitely get something. But it depends on how the game goes. We’re not favourites but we want to enjoy the competition so we’ll put up a good fight.”
Slovan Bratislava form ahead of Celtic
The Slovakians are 15 games into their season because of qualifying and came through knockout ties against the champions of North Macedonia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Denmark.
In total they’ve won 11 of their matches, drawing three and losing the other. That was, however, a damaging 5-0 drubbing at home against MSK Zilina.
It’s clear they have a bit about them and can’t be taken lightly this week. They haven’t faced a team with the quality Celtic possess yet but it’s up to the Bhoys to show that on the pitch rather than simply be considered better on paper.
Rodgers’ side have made a perfect start to the campaign and have it in them to extend that a match further on Europe’s biggest stage.
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