A 1-1 draw with Astana won’t go down in the history books of Celtic’s great European displays but it could become a significant marker in the current climate.
Just a fortnight after losing 1-0 to Lincoln Red Imps largely the same squad of players came back to earn a 1-1 draw against a side that measured up favourably in last season’s Champions League group phase.
During the 90 minutes Brendan Rodgers discovered the leadership qualities of a number of players- and it wasn’t from the tried and tested players that took Neil Lennon into the Champions League in past seasons.
Equally impressively there was some variety to the tactics used and a refreshing use of substitutes- two features rarely seen during the Ronny Deila days.
As every coach chimes at this stage in a European tie ‘it’s only half-time’ but on 90 minutes evidence Celtic have put themselves in the driving seat in this tie, and if successful will go into the play-off phase brimming with confidence that their Champions League exile is about to end.
CLICK HERE to look at the five players that made things happen against Astana