Brendan Rodgers and his Celtic team will embark on another Champions League journey on Wednesday.
Celtic have made a 100% start to the new season and they have started like a house on fire, with no one able to land a glove on them yet.
It all starts with pre-season when Celtic showcased their might by beating Manchester City and Chelsea, with that form now transcending into the new season.
The Bhoys eased past Rangers before the international break, showcased their class against Hearts at the weekend and now it’s time for Europe’s elite competition.
When the newly-revamped Champions League draw was made last month, a lot was said about the games handed to the champions of Scotland.
Yes, there were tasty away ties at Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa, but the home games stood out because many felt that it was favourable.
The Bhoys, whether it be under Rodgers or Ange Postecoglou in recent years, have huffed and puffed in Europe, then found themselves crashing out as soon as the Christmas lights went up.
But ahead of Celtic welcoming Slovakia side Slovan Bratislava to Parkhead, Peter Grant shared his thoughts on what coming for the team and why he is ‘concerned’.
There have been memorable nights against Barcelona in Paradise before, it wasn’t so long ago that Real Madrid visited these shores.
Grant touched upon how, with those teams, ‘you know what’s coming’, but with facing Bratislava, RB Leipzig, Club Brugge and Young Boys at home, he feels there is a sense of unknown about some of these sides and that is then a worry, as he told Go Radio.
Celtic’s Champions League campaign begins
“People are saying you could have handpicked the draw because it’s probably the perfect draw,” said Grant.
“It is a big opportunity, but as Barry (Ferguson) would say as well, you have to go out and perform. We have all gone out there before in Europe and you get such a surprise because you don’t realise how good some of the individuals are, who play for some of these European teams. That’s the only thing.
“I know Brendan (Rodgers) and his players, the way they have gone about their business on the pitch, no matter who they have played, their attitude against the ball, that tells you enough about a good side that they are willing to work their socks off. I think the last two games they haven’t played well as they did at the start of the season. Now, they are going into a European adventure, it’s new for some of them. But these boys they go out there and what a big opportunity. They have the quality to do it. But I don’t know enough about the opposition to say ‘yes, it’s set in stone’. When it’s a Real Madrid or a Barcelona, you always know what’s coming. But when it’s the likes of Slovan Bratislava or whatever. I am a bit more concerned about that because sometimes we can get sucked into that. I am not talking about Brendan or the players, I am talking about us as supporters.
Celtic v Slovan Bratislava
There is pressure on the manager and the players from the get-go to start off with three points here, and there should be.
It will be interesting to see if Rodgers makes any changes, with Arne Engels impressing against Hearts.
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It wouldn’t be a surprise if the changes happened at the weekend instead when Falkirk visit town, with Paulo Bernardo unlucky not to be starting.
Either way, there should be no excuses for the team to start strong here because the scene is set.
