The best pictures as Celtic beat Astana 5-0

It never runs to script but a Champions League night at Celtic Park is guaranteed drama.

The first 20 minutes were a bit edgy, the next ten saw the home side get on top before the goals started to flow.

By half time most supporters would have settled foe a 2-0 full time score but once Brendan Rodgers gets his side in front they go for the kill.

Astana had no answer to the power and pace that Celtic played at, as the bhoys got their teeth into the tie there was only going to be one winner.

Off the park the Green Brigade were on song and keeping in the right side of the regulations as the volume picked up inside Celtic Park.

A special chemistry sees the players feed off the fans and vice versa, for those looking on from the outside it seems like an entirely different sport to the sanitised English version.

Never before has a team ran up a 5-0 first leg win in the Play Off round allowing the fans to fully relax and lap up the fact that the return leg won’t be laced with the tension of last year’s trip to Israel.

SORRY LEIGH, IT’S AN OG

He put in an incredible shift and had a hand in a number of the goals.

After a few brushes with the offside flag he created a chance for himself then enjoyed a deflection off a defender that sent the ball into the net.

The fans appreciate the effort that he puts in with no little skill. He’ll be desperate to get involved in the group stage this time around.

I TOLD YOU!

There were plenty of pre-match fears about our new central defender but he breezed through it- being solid defensively and comfortable playing the ball into midfield and beyond.

Partick Thistle provided a couple of scares but clearly worked carried out in-between the two matches paid off with signs of a partnership developing between Bitton and Jozo Simunovic.

With each passing match the Israeli will be gaining in experience and confidence- there may be big decisions ahead when the regular central defenders return from injury.

SING UP MIKAEL

That famous tune has the same impact on experienced internationalists as it does on ordinary punters.

‘This is how it feels to be Celtic’ may be the words with one of our favourite Swedes enjoying in full the thrill of playing in the biggest tournament in the game at it’s most atmospheric stadium.

It’s that passion that makes playing for Celtic that bit special, from this moment onwards the occasion takes over and legendary nights are played out.

BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL

Before the kick off there had been a few comments about Scotty not being quite as beautiful and wonderful as last season.

These are the nights that Celtic need something extra from their big players with Sinclair delivering in style either side of half time.

I won’t be keeping an eye out for the career path of the Astana keeper but Sinclair got himself into the right positions and showed the composure to finish.

ABOUT THAT CONTRACT

Lets hope that the contract issue is finally resolved to restore the Stuart Armstrong of last season to the side.

Brendan Rodgers has been fairly public about the contract situation, protecting the player to an extent with attention firmly on his representatives.

With Olivier Ntcham adding to the squad competition for midfield places is even stronger than last term but Armstrong has the ability to win a place in the team and make an impact.

NERVY TIMES

Not quite the smiles that accompanied the post match lap of honour!

There is rarely smiles in these type of pictures but this is a serious group of professionals about to start their most important assignment of the season.

Ninety minutes later it was party time, the official line is that they still have to complete the job but they all know that next Thursday they’ll be tuning in to see whose group they are in for the biggest show in town.

CONCENTRATION

The technique that makes Champions League players.

Ten seconds earlier Tom Rogic was flattened by a clash of heads but Sinclair didn’t wait around as he timed his run and placed his shot low into the net.

The third goal picked up on the momentum of the first half as Astana started to be pushed out of sight with the big prize coming into sight.

JAMESY

Another priceless European goal from the academy graduate.

Despite constant pressure that Patrick Roberts is about to take his place the winger has turned in high quality performances in terms of discipline and end product.

His goal in Rosenborg created last night’s fixture- when the group matches come around no-one will have contributed more to the cause.

THE HUDDLE

There’s no better feeling that being so sure of your place in the Champions League that you can turn your back on the action.

As the huddle spreads across the stadium like a random Mexican wave it is a sight to behold as the whole stadium comes together as one.

The Champions League rarely provides the chance to huddle, when it comes around in a Play Off it’s to be savoured.

SCOTTY

Back in form and performing on the biggest stage- does it get any better?

An on form Sinclair with a years experience of the way Celtic play should be an impressive factor in the group matches.

Last season he was getting close to the breakthrough, he knows that he has it in him and with the backing of a full Celtic support he is capable of causing havoc against the best in the business.