Confident Celtic cruise to Champions League victory over Slovan Bratislava

Celtic began their Champions League campaign in style with a thumping 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava.

Goals from Liam Scales, Kyogo Furuhashi, Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah ensured that the hosts took three points from their opening match.

The Scottish champions had gone into the new-look competition on a fine run of domestic form, with manager Brendan Rodgers saying he had never felt as “ready” for the elite competition in his time at the club.

Celtic showed why the manager was so comfortable with a confident performance that saw them dominate possession and create plentiful chances against the Slovakian league winners.

After several early opportunities, Celtic took the lead 17 minutes into the contest. Engels delivered a corner that Scales met with a powerful header that Dominik Takac got both hands to but couldn’t keep out of the net.

Kyogo added the second three minutes into the second half and he had Nicolas Kuhn to thank for the assist. The winger beat two men before fizzing in a low cross and the Japanese striker was well placed to score from close range.

Club record signing Engels had scored his first goal for the club against Hearts on Sunday and he added another on his European debut. Alistair Johnston was fouled in the box and when the referee pointed to the spot, Engels took responsibility again and showed no pressure as he stroked the penalty into the corner of the goal.

Against the run of play, and just as Celtic looked to run riot, Slovan pulled a goal back on the hour mark.

Greg Taylor sliced a clearance and when it landed at the feet of Kevin Wimmer, the left-back hit a perfect shot with the outside of his boot that flew past Kasper Schmeichel and into the top corner.

Celtic weren’t fazed by the setback and continued with attacking intent.

Maeda was next to get on the scoresheet. Kyogo touched the ball on to Reo Hatate, who slid the ball into the feet of his countryman and Maeda kept his head to slot the ball low past Takac.

After a raft of substitutions from both sides, Celtic rounded off the scoring with four minutes of regulation time left. James Forrest cut open the Slovan defence and Idah latched on to the pass and rifled in a first time finish to net his first Champions League goal.

Three points, five goals and five different goalscorers made for a thrilling opening night in the competition for the Scottish champions. Rodgers and his players will now hope to take that momentum and confidence into their next challenge when they face Borussia Dortmund in Germany next month.