Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has hit back at those who have criticised the stature of his side’s UEFA Champions League victory on Wednesday.

The Hoops put Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava to the sword in a dominant 5-1 triumph, but some have played down the level of the win given the opponent.

Rodgers, however, thinks his players deserve utmost credit for their recent performance in Europe’s premier club competition.

The boss today looked back on Wednesday night as he hit back at the critics.

“No matter what is said, every team that plays in the Champions League is there believing that they are a big team,” he said (Sky Sports News).

“There are obviously clearly some more prestigious clubs than others because of their history, but every club that goes into that competition has done well and is a champion or a very good team in their own right.

“You know when you’re playing that, you’ve got to perform, so for us to play to that level with that pressure was something that didn’t surprise me, but it was great to see.”

Slovan Bratislava reached the Champions League after coming through four qualifying rounds, notably defeating the Cypriot and Danish champions on their journey to the league phase.

Although they were a favourable opponent on paper, they were no mugs, with Celtic’s elite performance simply blowing them away.

At home, the Hoops have a key advantage because of the raucous Celtic Park atmosphere, so seeing how they cope in upcoming trips to face Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta should be intriguing.

Their next two European opponents will undoubtedly prove to be a step up in level, but the Celts have every right to go into each match with confidence, given their current form.

Rodgers has his team playing some impressive stuff at the start of the campaign and so far, the Bhoys are flying on all fronts.