Celtic and their uncanny Champions League knack for a result that bodes well for Ange and Co

Hopeful Celtic head to Warsaw full of belief in the wake of their first Champions League fixture in five years.

Yes, Real Madrid and their dazzling array of football A-listers stepped through the gears, however, there was plenty to like about the way Ange Postecoglou 's side performed in the 3-0 defeat. Celtic have earned some famous scalps over the years, against the continent's very best, but the application shown by the current crop bodes well.

But Postecoglou knows there can be no slowing down now ahead of a trip to face a Shakhtar Donetsk team playing for something greater than three points. Their rousing 4-1 triumph away to Leipzig showed off their spirit and skill as they aim to do Ukraine proud amid Russia's invasion of their country. Defeating Shakhtar is no easy task, of course, but Celtic can be motivated by both the past and present. The current side are aiming to recreate the storied nights which became a staple of their exploits in Europe during the early part of the 21st century.

And matchday two in this competition has proved fruitful over the years. It's never easy to pick up points against the best but Celtic do it better than the vast majority of sides out of the top five leagues in their second fixture.

To put into context, Celtic have only ever won ONE fixture on the opening night across both the Champions League and Europa League group stage. That didn't come until the 2018/19 season when they earned a 1-0 win over Rosenborg thanks to Leigh Griffiths' late header. But they come alive in their second fixture, a proven record of righting the wrongs of the opening night.

And another key factor to note, Celtic have never suffered a heavy defeat in their second Champions League fixture in any of