Europe a steep learning curve for hammered Celtic – Rodgers

An imperious display, even by Barcelona standards, crushed Celtic before a Nou Camp crowd who witnessed history in the form of a hat-trick for Lionel Messi – the 40th in his career and a Champions League record sixth for the Argentine maestro. They’ll surely go close to winning another European Cup this season if this performances is anything to go by. This was a man against boys fixture and is very embarrasing for Celtic. Luis Suarez grabbed a brace while Andres Iniesta and Neymar got a goal each.

“Whenever you lose as a professional with so many goals it is tough to take, but these players have been brilliant since I came to the club”.

The Scottish champions did have the ball in the back of the net just before the break, but Scott Sinclair was flagged offside. Iniesta was kept on the sidelines for this encounter but the other two were recalled, a move which was to pay an immediate dividend.

“It’s something that’s pretty special as a player and more than anything, it’s something to look forward to and enjoy”, Rogic said.

There aren’t enough column inches to pick apart and praise the part played by the three in each goal, just as it would be unfair to lambast a shattered Celtic team who were simply outclassed.

Suarez had endured a relatively quiet game but he was not to be denied his own moment of magic, chesting down Neymar’s clever lofted pass before swivelling and striking high past De Vries from six yards.

Suarez got his second from a low cross from Messi. Nevertheless Barcelona have always been dominant and have always had an upper Hand against Celtic.

The saying is that ‘you only get one chance at a first impression, ‘ and having won the Champions League in the 2014-15 season, Barca doesn’t want to start out with a loss.

Goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is the coach’s only doubt after he missed the Alaves game with a muscle strain.

Dembele claimed the conversion for himself and remained immobile and impassive as Ter Stegen went through the ritual diversionary antics.

The worst possible start for Arsenal hinted at a potential lopsided affair but the Gunners got out of jail with Alexis Sanchez’s leveller inside the final quarter of an hour.

Barca immediately upped a gear and doubled their advantage three minutes later when a sensational exchange of passes between Neymar and Messi freed the latter to tap home his second of the night despite the presence of seven Celtic defenders in the area.

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Saul Niguez calmly fired a left foot volley just inside the post in the 43rd minute for the first goal between the two sides this year. “(Barcelona) is the world’s best at keeping the ball”.