TOM BOYD can’t help but watch on in total admiration as Celtic continue to obliterate Scottish opposition with their high-octane brand of football.
Now the former Hoops skipper insists it’s time to take the Angeball show on the road.
Boyd, 56, feels his old club have nothing to lose by coming out of the blocks fast against Shakhtar Donetsk tomorrow evening.
Boss Ange Postecoglou has vowed not to alter his cavalier approach in the rarefied environment of the Champions League group stages.
And Boyd is right behind the Aussie boss ahead of Celtic’s matchday two trip to the Polish capital of Warsaw, where the Ukrainians’ ‘home’ games are being played.
Boyd said: “I think it’s about being brave enough to go and do that.
“We have tried it so many times by going and just sitting in and defending and that hasn’t worked.
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“So why not go and have a go? Goals change games.
“Had we scored against Real Madrid it might have given us something, a wee cushion, and we might have gone on to get another outstanding victory.
“It didn’t happen, but when you go to these sorts of places it’s worth having a go and testing other teams.
“I’d rather see the team have a go than sitting in and defending and getting beaten. That has been the case for us sometimes in the past.”
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Postecoglou attempted to go toe to toe with Real’s Galacticos last week.
For 45 minutes his side gave the reigning European champs a real fright.
Despite the 3-0 defeat, Boyd is adamant the Parkhead manager should stick to his principles in Europe.
He said: “I remember when Wim Jansen came here, he was like that in terms of having his style of play and imposing the Dutch style.
“Ange is a slight variation of that with the high pressing he likes. Wim stood by his beliefs and, ultimately, that worked out for us. A manager has to do that and that’s what Ange is doing now.
“The impact Ange has had, and the addition of good players coming in, is hopefully a recipe for success.
“So far that has been the case and it has been great to watch.
“I know we lost last week, but that was to the European champions, so it certainly seems like a great time to be a Celtic supporter.
“And the players have to be full of confidence.
“Not everybody will be happy because everyone wants to be playing, but everyone accepts the role they have.
“Not everyone is going to be used all the time and there will be different games when different players are needed.
“But everyone is accepting that, which is great.”
Boyd accepts Madrid are on a different level entirely, yet he believes Celts have nothing to fear from Shakhtar and their other Group F rivals RB Leipzig.
First place in the group appears a formality for the Spanish giants, but the ex-Hoops defender sees no reason why Celtic cannot secure second spot and a cherished place in the last 16.
Boyd added: “I wouldn’t imagine Shakhtar and Leipzig would be able to come and defend with the way Celtic like to attack.
“It’s for Ange to decide but I don’t imagine he’ll change his philosophy in terms of the way he wants to play.
“I can’t see those clubs being as good defensively as Real Madrid, although we’ll just have to wait and see how that develops.
“But there could be a chance to finish second, even though it is still difficult.
“We now have two away games and that is a hard start to the campaign.
“We’ve played the European champions first and then we have two away games.
“So, as I say, it is a very difficult start.
“This is a bonus but the league is still the priority, you can’t get away from that.
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“That is what gets us into these positions.
“Because Celtic and Rangers have done well in recent years we have managed to get two teams in the Champions League. It really has been great that way.”
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