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Celtic Fan View: 3 post-PSG talking points

UEFA Champions League Group B match between Celtic and Paris Saint Germain at Celtic Park
UEFA Champions League Group B match between Celtic and Paris Saint Germain at Celtic Park

There was energy, noise, and spark at Celtic Park. Unfortunately the vast majority of it remained in the stands as the Hoops were battered 0-5 by Paris Saint-Germain. Hopes were high and the fans were in confident mood going into the game but it didn’t translate onto the pitch as the gulf in class between the sides was glaringly obvious.

On a torrid and embarrassing night for the Scottish champions, we reflect on a few talking points from the match…

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Bhoys pay for nervous start

Celtic didn’t start this game well at all, they never got going nor looked likely to build positive momentum during any period of the game. Brendan Rodgers set his side to contain and stay in the match but it backfired enormously as the Hoops were extremely passive.

Given the incredible atmosphere that’s synonymous with European nights at Parkhead, it was strange to see the Bhoys not feed off that and press PSG and hence put the visitors under pressure. Instead, the hosts sat off Neymar and co who were running rings around them from the first minute.

The whole team performed with nerves and intimidation as if the occasion was too big for them. Not only did they look uncomfortable as a unit, each player appeared to be scared in possession and unwilling to take risks on the ball. That nervousness set the tone for the whole night as it allowed the former French champions to get into their stride while the Bhoys could barely complete simple passes. It put the Hoops on the back foot and they were ruthlessly punished.

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Anguish for Celtic as PSG score again
Anguish for Celtic as PSG score again

Hard night for Ralston

It was a big call by Rodgers to leave out a natural centre-back in Kristoffer Ajer and the more experienced-albeit makeshift defender- Nir Bitton in favour of teenager Anthony Ralston. It’s fair to say the risk didn’t pay off as the youngster experienced the toughest night of his career.

He was badly caught out for the opening goal of the night as he allowed Neymar to get in behind him far too easily and he could have done better for goals two and four. It was always going to be a challenge going up against the caliber of forwards PSG possess but this looked like it was too much of a jump in quality for the 18-year-old. He’s sure to have learned a thing or two however.

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UEFA Champions League Group B match between Celtic and Paris Saint Germain at Celtic Park
UEFA Champions League Group B match between Celtic and Paris Saint Germain at Celtic Park

PSG make a big statement

Given more than half a billion euros has been spent on assembling this PSG side, they needed a win that would make nerves tremble across Europe. And they achieved that emphatically. To come to Parkhead and win in the manner they did will definitely catch the attention of some of Europe’s big clubs.

There already seems to be a tremendous fluency among Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani. The link up, speed with and without the ball and ruthlessness in front of goal was breathtaking at times as all three got themselves on the scoresheet. Unai Emery’s men are definitely a team to fear this term.