The disco lights were on full beam and the Champions League anthem echoed around the ground.
But Celtic did something that no one expected. They turned a Champions League match into a run-of-the-mill Premiership clash. Slovan Bratislava got battered, just like Kilmarnock, Hibs, St Mirren – and just like Rangers.
By the end this felt so much like a Premiership encounter it just needed Neil Doncaster to turn up with a trophy wrapped in green and white ribbons at the end. The Green Brigade rolled out a spectacular display before kick-off with the famous picture of Billy McNeill and John Clark tucked up in bed with the European Cup from 1967.
They couldn’t have dreamed of making a better start to the Champions League in 2024. Slovan Bratislava arrived as the lowest ranked team in the tournament – but Celts have so many Euro wounds, punters were still wary. There was no need to worry. Brendan Rodgers’ men grabbed this game by the scruff of the neck and by the end it could have incredibly been even more emphatic than 5-1.
Bratislava boss Vladimir Weiss – who masted minded the infamous Artmedia win against Gordon Strachan’s side 18 years ago – had that hangdog look so many Scottish Premiership managers ended up wearing in these parts.
At least he knows where to find the support group. Liam Scales got the party started with his early thumping header and Celts should have been out of sight before the break.
They were after it. Kyogo pounced from close range, the immense Arne Engels slotted from the spot and Daizen Maida made it four after Kevin Wimmer did the one thing domestic rivals haven’t managed in the Prem by grabbing one back. Not that result was ever going to be in doubt. And then Adam Idah made it five to secure Celtic’s
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