‘MCN’ steer five-star PSG past hapless Celtic

AFP,  GLASGOW: Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani all scored as Paris Saint-Germain began their Champions League campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of Celtic in Glasgow on Tuesday.

Brazilian Neymar continued to pay back his 222 million-euro ($264 million) world record transfer fee with his fifth goal in five games to put PSG in front before he set up Mbappe to make it 2-0.

Edinson Cavani then converted from the penalty spot five minutes before the break after the Uruguayan striker had been pulled down by Jozo Simunovic.

Things got worse for Celtic in the second half as Mikael Lustig's 83rd-minute own goal and Cavani's angled header two minutes later heaped more misery on the Scottish champions, who could yet find themselves in trouble with UEFA after a fan managed to make his way onto the pitch to aim a kick at Mbappe during the first half.

The emphatic win propels PSG to the top of Group B on goal difference from Bayern Munich, who beat Anderlecht 3-0 and who the French side host in a fortnight.

The nature of the victory was also a real statement of intent from this summer's big spenders who are determined to make a bigger impression than ever before on Europe's elite club competition.

Following last season's collapse to Barcelona in the last 16 -- a tie in which Neymar starred for the Catalan giants -- this European campaign was always going to be about a test of PSG's mettle rather than their flair.

However, the French side's superstars -- and in particular their front three, who have been quickly christened the 'MCN' in France -- showed no signs of fear inside the intimidating atmosphere of Celtic Park as the gulf in class between the sides showed from the start.

PSG's pressure soon paid off but Neymar's opener wasn't without controversy.

Celtic felt they should have had a free-kick in the PSG half after Scott Sinclair went down but the visitors took full advantage as Adrian Rabiot's quickly-played ball behind Anthony Ralston found the Brazilian who expertly lifted the ball over Craig Gordon.

Paris coach Unai Emery had identified Leigh Griffiths as the danger man for Celtic before the game and the Scottish striker came close to grabbing an equaliser minutes later when his curling free-kick was tipped over by Alphonse Areola.

Mbappe then showed why PSG are prepared to make him the world's second-most expensive player when he grabbed his second goal in two games since joining on a season-long loan from Monaco.

Neymar's headed ball across goal was missed by Cavani but the 18-year-old, who PSG have an option to buy for a fee that could reach 180 million euros, pounced to smash the ball past Gordon.

 

MCN steer five-star PSG past hapless Celtic

AFP, GLASGOW: Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani all scored as Paris Saint-Germain began their Champions League campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of Celtic in Glasgow on Tuesday. Brazilian Neymar continued to pay back his 222 million-euro ($264 million) world record transfer fee with his fifth goal in five games to put PSG in front before he set up Mbappe to make it 2-0. Edinson Cavani then converted from the penalty spot five minutes before the break after the Uruguayan striker had been pulled down by Jozo Simunovic. Things got worse for Celtic in the second half as Mikael Lustigs 83rd-minute own goal and Cavanis angled header two minutes later heaped more misery on the Scottish champions, who could yet find themselves in trouble with UEFA after a fan managed to make his way onto the pitch to aim a kick at Mbappe during the first half. The emphatic win propels PSG to the top of Group B on goal difference from Bayern Munich, who beat Anderlecht 3-0 and who the French side host in a fortnight. The nature of the victory was also a real statement of intent from this summers big spenders who are determined to make a bigger impression than ever before on Europes elite club competition. Following last seasons collapse to Barcelona in the last 16 -- a tie in which Neymar starred for the Catalan giants -- this European campaign was always going to be about a test of PSGs mettle rather than their flair. However, the French sides superstars -- and in particular their front three, who have been quickly christened the MCN in France -- showed no signs of fear inside the intimidating atmosphere of Celtic Park as the gulf in class between the sides showed from the start. PSGs pressure soon paid off but Neymars opener wasnt without controversy. Celtic felt they should have had a free-kick in the PSG half after Scott Sinclair went down but the visitors took full advantage as Adrian Rabiots quickly-played ball behind Anthony Ralston found the Brazilian who expertly lifted the ball over Craig Gordon. Paris coach Unai Emery had identified Leigh Griffiths as the danger man for Celtic before the game and the Scottish striker came close to grabbing an equaliser minutes later when his curling free-kick was tipped over by Alphonse Areola. Mbappe then showed why PSG are prepared to make him the worlds second-most expensive player when he grabbed his second goal in two games since joining on a season-long loan from Monaco. Neymars headed ball across goal was missed by Cavani but the 18-year-old, who PSG have an option to buy for a fee that could reach 180 million euros, pounced to smash the ball past Gordon.