Brendan Rodgers was delighted with Charly Musonda’s contribution to Celtic’s 1-0 win over Zenit St Petersburg.
The Chelsea kid combined with Callum McGregor for the goal that gives Celtic a fighting chance of making the last 16 of the Europa League.
Rodgers spent over a year trying to bring the playmaker to Celtic Park and got his reward five minutes after replacing Eboue Koussi.
The Celtic boss left Musonda and Scott Sinclair on the bench as he opted for a more pragmatic approach with his tactics working perfectly.
“The level of opponent we have come up against really tested us to the limit and it was really important we defended well,” Rodgers told The Sun.
“Defensively we were very strong and the players were very clear in their roles. They showed great calmness with the ball. Everyone contributed.
“I said to the players that I felt 60 or 70 minutes would be the time to change it because we were playing with a shape that was going to be taxing for some of them.
“We got that fresh impetus. Charly took us out of the pressure and was very good but it was very much a team performance and a very good result.
“I thought the performance was outstanding. We were playing against a top side, I think everyone recognises that.
“For large parts of the game we controlled it and it was a great piece of skill by young Charly and a brilliant finish by Callum, so I am very pleased.
“We defended well and looked a threat going forward. We’ll take the victory and clean sheet — and it sets it up very well for next week.
“We had a couple of great opportunities. It was just that touch and connection in the box and maybe we needed a wee bit of good fortune to go our way but it was very pleasing.”
Rodgers stuck with Jozo Simunovic in defence and was rewarded with a very welcome clean sheet after the disappointing performances against Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle.
Kris Ajer dominated the defence with the back four operating as an impressive unit ahead of Dorus de Vries who never flapped under pressure.
No fresh injuries were reported as the hoops turned in their most impressive home performance of the season.
