The magic of European nights in Paradise cast its spell once more on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 as the Celtic players, the Celtic support and, indeed, Celtic Park itself combined to produce a truly memorable UEFA Champions League win. Slovan Bratislava were put to the sword as five different scorers put the ball past their keeper with only one goal in reply at the other end, while the game delivered a scoreline AND a performance that players, fans and neutrals fully enjoyed and appreciated. And none more so than Celtic captain, Callum McGregor who was delighted by the application and work-rate of his team-mates. The skipper said: “Everybody had expectations coming into the stadium, and the players were the same as the supporters. ‘And we delivered on a big night – opening night and five goals, we probably could have had more as well.’ “The second half was outstanding, the way the team played and pressed, and looked really dangerous on counter-attacks. “So it was a fantastic start and it gives us a good start in the group and now we just take it from there.”The range of goals and scorers was another highlight in a game packed to the gunwales with such memorable moments. The skipper added: “That’s what you need. You need goals coming in from everywhere. You don’t want to be overly reliant on the guys at the top of the pitch. “So, to have goals from set-pieces is important as well, and they can break the deadlock on nights like this, which we did well. “So we worked hard on that, which is good to see, and there were goals from everywhere, everybody chipping in, everybody playing their part and I thought we were outstanding. “Especially on the counter-attack as well, where we looked a real threat.” The key to Celtic’s remarkable start to the season has been the team unity and work ethic instilled in the pre-season games that carried on into the opening domestic games with the Hoops recording six straight wins – but would that carry on into the continental stage? Celtic answered that last night in no uncertain terms, and McGregor noted: “Everybody is looking at this competition and wondering what we can do, domestically we’ve been excellent, but to come here, I think the expectation was on the group, on the players to deliver, and we’ve managed to do that. “So it just gives the players another nod in the right direction that what we are doing is working, and we just continue to buy into what the coaching staff and the manager are asking us to do.” And he said of this group of Celtic players: “Hopefully we can go really far, there are a lot of talented individuals who work so tirelessly for the group. “Everyone is together, you can see that in terms of the pressing, the way that we run for each other, the way that we defend for each other as an 11, then the guys that come on, they know their job. “It’s a real team spirit, a real team effort and I think you can see that. I think you can see the group enjoy playing together, so let’s see how far we can go, but for us, we just keep pushing and keep demanding the best.” MORE ON THE MATCH Stylish Celtic deliver five-star display to kick off UEFA Champions League campaign in style - match report Manager: Players produced a performance to match the magical atmosphere - read more Man of the Match Liam Scales delighted with Champions League victory - read more Arne Engels: It was an incredible night at Celtic Park and a well-deserved victory –
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