Joe Cole reveals Celtic soft spot as Chelsea brands Hoops the neutrals' choice

Joe Cole admits he has a soft spot for Celtic and is rooting for them in this year's Champions League.

The Hoops got their European campaign off to a flyer with a thumping 5-1 opening-day win over Slovan Bratislava at Parkhead last night. Celts have been handed a favourable draw in this year's new-look format with further home ties against Club Brugge, RB Leipzig and Young Boys still to come.

Brendan Rodgers' men do have some tricky away trips to navigate, including Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta and Aston Villa, but Cole is confident the Scottish champions will be fighting for a play-off spot after raving about the famous Celtic Park atmosphere. And the ex-England star believes most neutrals will be cheering on the Glasgow giants.

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He told TNT Sports: "They'll be on top of the world. A club like Celtic, they bring so much to the Champions League. The atmosphere, you talk to great players who have played all over Europe at all the big stadiums, and playing at Celtic it really is special.

"It has got something so you want them to do well, you are rooting for them. They will take so much confidence, listen, this is Bratislava and they should win but it's the way they won it.

"Brendan has got them playing and they have got enough quality. It will be interesting to see. I don't expect them to go through as one of the top clubs but if they can get a play-off place and keep going in the tournament, that would be good."