Celtic's intoxicating quality on show against Blackburn Rovers - and the Champions League identity fascination

There cannot be many more intoxicating teams in world football than Celtic. Ange Postecoglou's men have a seldom seen quality in the game, the ability to make the mundanity and routine of pre-season friendlies a thrilling joy-ride.

Enthusiasm for friendly matches can understandably be low, the tempo slower than the proper thing and lacking a semblance of edge. None of that has been the case during the Scottish champions’ preparations so far.

Twenty three goals and no shortage of feisty challenges and yellow cards across four outings.

Coming away from Celtic Park, supporters should be rubbing their hands at the prospect of what is in store for when the competitive action gets underway. And so should the neutral.

Celtic, with 12 months of Ange Postecoglou’s influence drilled, seeped and cajoled into them, should, in theory, be an even greater, more refined force.

Going by the giving up of seven goals, there are still aspects which are a work in progress. The last two games have seen early concessions. Against Blackburn it was within the first 20 seconds when Callum McGregor of all people took a loose touch and the visitors pounced through former Scotland youth international Sam Gallagher.

But it is part of Celtic’s charm, the fact they have this vulnerability. Where, for the club’s fans with a nervous disposition, it can be walking a tightrope across a barely frozen lake below. Brave opposition can be presented with opportunities from turnovers, as Blackburn were, for both goals.

It’s getting the ball which, for teams in Scotland at least, will be the difficult aspect.

Celtic have players, in their starting XI and beyond, who are so slick, quick and tricky. Individuals who can, will and often succeed in bettering their