THE manner of Celtic’s Champions League win over Anderlecht on Wednesday night may have surprised a few people – but not former Hoops striker Mark Burchill.

His insider knowledge of the Belgian champions meant he made Brendan Rodgers' side favourites to win the away tie in the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, because he just couldn’t see how Anderlecht would cope with the Celtic’s three-pronged strike force of Leigh Griffiths, Scott Sinclair and Partick Roberts.

And Burchill’s scouting revues in Belgium last season meant a bonus for some of his friends on Wednesday.

“Anderlecht are a very good team and at times they showed that the other night. But when they started to push and press Celtic it left them susceptible to the one thing that every team struggles against – and that’s pace.

“If you look at the opening goal Celtic scored, it probably came when Anderlecht were having a decent spell. But when they pushed up the pitch, they left themselves open to the counter. And when Kieran Tierney was sent away down the left, no-one could live with him, or cover the run to the far post of Griffiths.

“It was something I’d noticed last term when I was on scouting trips. I watched them against Bruges, Eupen and Mechelen, so I knew their strengths and weaknesses. When the draw was made for the Champions League, I said Celtic would beat them and told my mates.

“There were a few of them who all bet Celtic to win 3-0 on Wednesday at 36/1 – happy days!” laughed Burchill, who says that the midweek performances of Griffiths, Sinclair and Roberts would have made people sit up and take notice.

“They’ve been ripping it up in Scotland for a couple of years now. But the big question was could they do it on the European stage, at the highest level. For me, the midweek showing answered that one.

“Getting that goal was something Griffiths needed. It was a bit like breaking his duck for Scotland and now that he’s done it in the group stage, more will come.

“He is just so full of confidence. I’d need to say he has probably proved Brendan Rodgers wrong in turning out to be the player and the striker his boss probably didn’t reckon on him ever becoming.

“His all-round play was just superb, holding the ball up, running across the defence, through the channels, and, getting on the end of things when it mattered. He is now first pick for Brendan Rodgers and Gordon Strachan, again, possibly another manager who didn’t believe in him – until he gave him a chance. And boy, has he taken it.”

However, anything Griffiths can do is probably matched by Sinclair and Roberts. For Burchill, Sinclair is deserving of making an appearance for another team in the near future.

“People questioned his attitude when he left Manchester City and things didn’t go so well at Aston Villa. But he has taken his chance in Scotland and delivered. I watch a lot of football, all over the country, and to be honest I really don’t know why he hasn’t been even given a call-up for an England squad.

“The wide left role probably belongs to Marcus Rashford right now. But I haven’t seen anyone on a par with Sinclair.

“If playing in Scotland is counting against him, then look at his European performances when he is up against many guys who are international players. For me he is deserving of a chance. He has pace, goals, and is creative and a team player. What an asset he’d be to England.”

And complementing him on the right flank is Patrick Roberts, a player Burchill was shocked to see making a return to the SPFL.

“He was never going to get a chance with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and was always likely to move, either on loan or to be sold.

“But I was quite shocked that Celtic were able to acquire his services so late in the transfer window again for another season.

“Watford, Southampton and Crystal Palace were all supposed to be interested. And while he could have made an impression in England, I think the chance to work with Brendan Rodgers again, and more importantly, European football, was a massive attraction.

“I think you could see the disappointment when he was substituted against PSG. It didn’t happen for him, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying. And it was great to see it all coming good for him and Celtic against Anderlecht.”

For Mark, only a complete disaster – or a freakish result elsewhere – can possible deny Celtic European football after the turn of the year.

“That would be something to look forward to, whether in the Europa League, or indeed, that Champions League. Bayern have problems, but let’s not get too carried away. They are still an impressive team.

“The only way Celtic won’t be in Europe now is if they suffer a complete meltdown against Anderlecht in the return – which just won’t happen – or, if they were to lose that game and the Belgians pick up a completely freakish point elsewhere. I don’t see either of those two things happening.

“So it is looking good for 2018 already.”