Brendan Rodgers not embarrassed by Celtic’s heaviest European defeat

Barcelona‘s Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (C) is congratulated by Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Neymar (R) and Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League football match FC Barcelona vs Celtic FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on September 13, 2016. Brendan Rodgers (pictured shaking hands with Messi after the thrashing) could only watch in wonder.

Messi’s three goals took his Champions League career tally to 86 goals, to still trail Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 94.

Barca have now won their last 12 home games in European competition.

However, if Celtic hope to get anything from this game they will have to be able to cope with the trio of world class attacking players lining up against them in the form of Messi, Suarez and Neymar.

Minutes after the Ter Stegen save, Messi toe-poked home for his second goal after he and Neymar almost walked the ball into the Celtic net with a series of intricate passes in the penalty area.

An under-strength Barca side had lost 2-1 to Alaves in LaLiga on Saturday.

“So we respect that this will be a very hard game”.

“These players have been brilliant”, Rodgers told a press conference.

Neymar used a clever, no-look pass to play Messi clear on the left side of the area.

Unsurprisingly Barcelona dominated possession, probing the Parkhead rearguard with familiar patience. I have no doubt Barcelona will respect the level we are going to bring.

The German goalkeeper dived to his right to push Dembele’s shot away for corner which the home side survived.

Messi and Neymar combined for another nifty move, picking apart Celtic’s traffic-cone defense to double Barca’s lead. At this stage time seemed to have gone into reverse for Celtic, who still had to endure a further half-hour of torment.

“The players enjoyed it on the pitch, the fans in the stands”.

The Brazil worldwide had another chance on goal 35th minute on a counter-attack as Messi played him in on goal, but Neymar’s cutback and right-footed shot was easily saved.

If that strike was good then Iniesta’s volley from Neymar’s cross was remarkable in its execution.

Rodgers managed Suarez at Liverpool, with the Uruguay worldwide scoring 54 Premier League goals under the stewardship of the Northern Irishman before moving on to Barcelona, where he has already won two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey crowns and the Champions League.

Substitute Andres Iniesta then powered in a fourth before Messi got his third of the evening a mere 60 seconds later when he tapped in Suarez’s cut back.