Ferguson: Walter Smith says this is how long it will take Celtic to bounce back from PSG thrashing
By Abigail Withey
Former Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson believes it could take a number of weeks for Celtic to bounce back after their 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have dominated across all competitions during the current campaign, so their hammering against PSG was a wake up call.
Ferguson, who had two spells with the Light Blues, thinks that although it could effect their performance against Ross County this weekend their recent defeat has the potential to trigger the Hoops into returning back to their winning ways.
“Walter Smith always believed it took the team a good few weeks to get a bad European experience completely out of our system,” Ferguson explained in his column for the Daily Record.
“That could be the case for Celtic this weekend now they’re licking the wounds PSG inflicted upon them.
“But the evidence from last season suggests it’s even more likely to trigger a quick response.
“They will be itching to get straight back to business and send out a message to the rest of the league to remind everyone why they’re playing at that level in the first place.”
Celtic faced a similar situation last year when the Hoops suffered a 7-0 and 2-0 defeat to La Liga giants Barcelona, but Rodgers’ side bounced back stronger than ever and went on to secure the domestic treble.
Before their Champions League group opener the Bhoys looked somewhat invincible, but PSG and their world record singing were miles ahead of the Glaswegian club.
The Hoops host Ross County on Saturday in their sixth match of the competition and will be hoping to continue their current unbeaten run in the campaign.
Rodgers’ squad have won four of their Premiership matches comfortably but hit a glitch when they drew 1-1 against St. Johnstone at the end of August.
In other Celtic news, Hearts boss Craig Levein has made a worrying claim about the Hoops after their PSG clash.
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