Brendan Rodgers has highlighted the youthfulness of the Celtic side that beat Astana to reach the play-off phase of the Champions League qualifying campaign.
It was a night of drama, tension and emotion that saw Moussa Dembele convert a stoppage time penalty to send the Kazakhstan champions packing.
Rodgers has still to get fully active in the transfer market but is increasingly impressed by his young players are handling the big time.
“If you think, we had a 20-year-old at right-back, a 19-year-old at left-back, and a 20-year-old at centre-half, young boys further up the team and a young boy comes on and scores a penalty so at this level it is a very, very young team,” the Celtic boss explained.
“But they are gaining experience and you have to give time to talent, encourage it, be supportive of it.”
Eoghan O’Connell handled the occasion like a veteran, bringing composure and poise to the defence while making his presence felt in the tackle.
The 20-year-old wouldn’t have been at the forefront of Rodgers thoughts when he took over from Ronny Deila but after four competitive games it’ll take a lot to oust O’Connell from the Celtic defence.
“He (O’Connell) in particular was very good,” Rodgers added. “I thought he was outstanding. I have said before, I have been really impressed with him.
“For a young player who has been at Oldham and Cork on loan, to be put into the games he has been put into and shown that composure – he is a wonderful young footballer.
“He dominates in the air, so he wins his headers but if you want to reach the highest level you can, you have to be able to dominate the ball and as a kid he passes it very well.
“He has an in-built brain for the game and I am looking at his temperament. I see him in training.
“I don’t know how many games some players have played but if they show that temperament and composure, like he has over the couple of games, he is only going to get better and better.”
CLICK HERE for the five clubs Celtic could draw in play off.
