SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR PSG AS THEY HUMBLE CELTIC
THIS is what happens when you anger European football’s deadliest front line. Celtic had the cheek to take the lead after just 57 seconds at the Parc des Princes, briefly raising hopes of a famous night for Scottish football.
But as it turned out, the only thing they raised were the hackles of Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe, who brutally punished Brendan Rodgers’ team for their impudence. In doing so the attacking trio took their tally for the season to an incredible 41 goals.
Rodgers will be happy if he never sees PSG again. In September they inflicted Celtic’s heaviest European home defeat, winning 5-0 at Parkhead.
The Celtic manager had wanted a response from his players in the French capital — and he got it inside the first minute when Moussa Dembele, a former PSG youth player, drilled home Olivier Ntcham’s corner.
It was the first goal PSG had conceded in this year’s competition and sent more than 2,000 travelling Celtic fans into ecstasy.
However any thoughts of revenge were quashed when Neymar drilled past Craig Gordon eight minutes later, after Celtic skipper Scott Brown had given the ball away.
Celtic continued to look dangerous on the counter, but they were vulnerable at the back and Neymar soon put PSG ahead, applying a cool finish after exchanging a one-two with Marco Verrati.
PSG could smell blood. Celtic were becoming sloppy in possession and it was no surprise when the floodgates opened. Cavani stabbed home on the half-hour for his 20th of the season and 150th in a PSG shirt. Mbappe then smashed in the fourth.
There was no let-up after the interval. Verrati drilled in the fifth after Celtic’s defence had failed to clear their lines.
Rodgers could barely watch as Cavani then made it six with a sumptuous volley and moments later the scoreline became embarrasing as Dani Alves rifled a long-range effort past Gordon.
PSG now have 24 goals in the group stage — a Champions League record — while this was only the fourth time in history that Celtic have conceded seven.
The only good news for the Scots came in the form of Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win at Anderlecht, which ensured the Belgians need a healthy win at Parkhead next month if they are to deny Celtic a Europa League place.