Celtic put their fans through every emotion as they racked up a 5-2 win over Hapoel Beer Sheva to put one foot in the group phase of the Champions League.
The scoreline barely reflects the drama and emotion of the night as Celtic Park served up another Champions League thriller.
There was joy and delight as the hoops raced into a 3-0 lead at half-time followed by dejection and despair as Hapoel pulled two back in as many minutes before relief and even celebration as Celtic restored their three goal advantage for the return leg.
With a three goal advantage the hoops should be certain to progress through to the group phase but it’s rarely straightforward as the last two seasons have proved.
There aren’t many atmospheres like Celtic Park on a @ChampionsLeague night.???? #UCL https://t.co/5ymp1EiY6f
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 17, 2016
.@Leighgriff09 rises to double @celticfc‘s lead after a surging run by…Kolo Toure. Who else?! #UCL https://t.co/3owlVO3hZj
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 17, 2016
And just like that, you can hear a pin drop in Glasgow. @celticfc go from 3-0 to 3-2 in a matter of minutes. #UCL https://t.co/UjOsfm0ObJ
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 17, 2016
Parkhead is rocking as @celticfc take a huge step towards the #UCL group stages in a Glasgow goal fest. ???? pic.twitter.com/D4AI6sh08z
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 17, 2016
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“He’s got balls!” Safe to say @Leighgriff09 was impressed with his manager’s attacking substitutions tonight. #UCL https://t.co/9NWxnd3Bio
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 17, 2016
Take a bow, @Leighgriff09. ???? #UCL https://t.co/2bRtx1xi2d
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 17, 2016
Celtic were in winning positions against Maribor and Malmo but let things slip away but there’s certainly something very different about this season’s team- a new identity Rodgers described it as yesterday.
With a manager bold enough to make telling substitutions and alter his team’s formation Celtic bounced back to regain the initiative rather than wake up to another hard luck story.
For those lucky enough to be at the match it was 90 minutes that they won’t forget, for those watching on television BT Sport did a perfect job.
There were no neutral punters in the studio as John Hartson and Gordon Strachan analysed the action, in the commentary box Chris Sutton booted every ball and strained for every header.
Next week’s return tie is bound to produce a few nervous moments but with a fully fledged manager in the dug out Celtic’s Champions League exile looks almost over, almost.