Rodgers hails Celtic’s ‘greed, hunger and mentality’

Brendan Rodgers hailed the “greed, hunger and mentality” of his Celtic players as they began their Champions League campaign with an impressive 5-1 dismantling of Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava.

Liam Scales’ first-half header set the Scottish champions on their way to a first opening-night win in the competition, before Kyogo Furuhashi, Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah netted after the break to seal victory.

The last time Celtic had five different scorers in a European Cup or Champions League match was 51 years ago against TPS Turku.

“We were strong in the first half, but second half, wow,” Rodgers said. “The greed of the players, the hunger, the mentality of the team, I am just so proud.

“We played well in the first half, got the early goal, had other more opportunities to be more clinical, but I just felt we were taking one touch too many.

“We reiterated we don’t need to do anything special, we just have to be us. Just don’t overthink it.

“The razzmatazz around the Champions League is amazing, but we are playing a team who are defending in 4-4-2, which we will play against here in the league. OK it’s different tiers, but it’s still the same idea.

“You could see right from the off in the second half, the players were absolutely sensational. We could’ve had more than five.”

It was a splendid start to the expanded 36-team, one league, tournament for Celtic, who will play seven further matches.

Borussia Dortmund are up next in Germany in two weeks, and will pose a far stiffer test, before matches against RB Leipzig, Club Brugge and Young Boys in Glasgow and trips to face Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb and Aston Villa.

A top-eight finish would earn Celtic an automatic last-16 place, with a play-off the prize for team who end up between ninth and 24th place.

According to analysis by Opta, 16 points would almost certainly secure a top-eight place and 10 would be good enough for a play-off spot.

“Our next three games are tough but exciting,” Rodgers added.

“We know it’s a long road, but the first steps are important and the steps we made tonight were fantastic.

“The supporters were sensational. We won the last game of last campaign and the first of this, so we’re trying to make this place a fortress.”

Former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart: “To start how they did, that energy, that passion from the crowd, the players, Brendan Rodgers… an incredible game.

“They will have seen this as an opportunity, but Celtic haven’t necessarily taken those opportunities in recent times.

“From the first moment, they were on the front foot. Slovan Bratislava must have thought what has hit us?”

Former Scotland international James McFadden: “It’s so good to see a Scottish team the more technical in a game. They looked faster and fitter and played the better football.

“The overall performance level, how good Celtic looked, they were miles ahead.”

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner: “Every single player looked hungry and that’s the making of a good team.

“Keep that up, with the quality they showed tonight, and they’ll be a threat to some of the bigger teams.”

BBC Scotland chief sports writer Tom English: “It was a really strong, dynamic and relentless performance.

“They scored five, they could’ve had eight, and that would have been a fairer reflection of their dominance.

“Great confidence, hunger and edge collectively. That is the story of the night.”

Celtic fans, how impressed were you by your side? Has it boosted your confidence for the campaign to come? Or do the tougher tests to come give you the fear?

Let us know what you think here