The five key men that earned Celtic a draw in Astana
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
When he was signed on loan in January
reaching the Champions League group phase was clearly the target for Patrick Roberts.
It seemed quite a burden to place on a teenager without a single top tier appearance but against Astana tonight Roberts came of age.
Some early rough treatment didn’t have the desired effect, the opposite was the case as Roberts bounced back, taking responsibility, turning his marker and creating the equalising goal for Leigh Griffiths
Goalscorer Leigh Griffiths will always have his critics,
a failed spell at Wolves is on his crime sheet, but as a Celtic player he has barely put a foot wrong.
Two goals last season against Malmo should have taken him into the Champions League- hopefully this season he can get his belated rewards.
There wasn’t much in the way of chances today but when Roberts won the ball at the touchline Griffiths knew exactly what was needed. Creating space for himself, he took one touch to tame Roberts pass before sending his shot low past the keeper #priceless
Is Kieran Tierney really just 18-years-of-age?
Less than a year after claiming Emilio Izaguirre’s place in the side the bhoy from Wishaw turned in an awesome and inspiring performance.
At his age it would be normal for Tierney to rely on others but in this case it’s the young full-back that is helping older team-mates through the match.
The left flank provided no encouragement whatsoever to Astana with Tierney the source of many Celtic attacks- the bigger the challenge the more the bhoy impresses.
After just one Celtic appearance last season Eoghan O’Connell
delivered a perfect reminder to Brendan Rodgers about the untapped talent available at Celtic Park.
The merits, and otherwise of zonal marking will be long debated, as will O’Connell’s role in the Astana goal but either side of that incident the 20-year-old looked more than comfortable at this level.
An early 50-50 challenge set a marker, after that O’Connell wasn’t found wanting as he competed strongly for every ball and linked effectively with his midfield team-mates.
Mikael Lustig showed his vast experience of this type of fixture
as he helped a makeshift back-line through some difficult times.
There was little sign of his attacking instincts, and little need with Roberts on form, but as a steadying influence the Swede was exceptional.
Starting his fifth full season as a Celtic player Lustig knows the demands of the club inside out and provided his younger team-mates with the perfect example as they navigated towards the play-off phase of the Champions League.