Celtic on a high ahead of City clash in Champions League

The Hoops produced a comprehensive victory over Kilmarnock to maintain unbeaten run

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says his side’s confidence is high ahead of their Champions League clash against Manchester City following their thrashing of Kilmarnock.

The Hoops warmed up for Wednesday’s Group C match with a comprehensive 6-1 defeat of Killie in Glasgow’s East End to maintain their unbeaten start to the domestic season.

Top of the league

Rodgers’ side are top of the Scottish Premiership, five points clear of Hearts with a game in hand, and booked a League Cup semi-final clash with rivals Rangers next month following their defeat of third-tier Alloa Athletic in midweek.

However, the Hoops will face a much tougher test on Wednesday when Pep Guardiola’s City visit Celtic Park.

The English Premier League leaders continued their 100 per cent start to the season with a 3-1 victory at Swansea City on Saturday but Rodgers insisted his side’s win over Killie had been the perfect preparation for the daunting clash. “It was a brilliant team performance by us,” the Celtic manager said. “If you win a game 6-1 it gives you great confidence, of course. A home game here at Celtic Park in the Champions League is a really special night and you can’t prepare better than what we did today.”

Celtic lost 7-0 in their opening Group C fixture away to Barcelona as their defence was torn apart by the Spanish champions.