The best pictures from Celtic’s win over Zenit

It was great to see Celtic emerge from their recent coma! With the chips down the real Celtic returned with style to put Zenit St Petersburg to the test.

With the exception of 45 minutes against Hearts it has been laboured viewing since the turn of the year with little to suggest that the team was capable of recapturing the flair, excitement and goals of last season.

Pressure was on Brendan Rodgers, he had been criticised after the three home defeats in the Champions League but had stuck firmly to the line that being in Europe after Christmas was a sign of progress.

With virtually a full team sitting in the treatment room options were limited but from that there were still big decisions to be made.

Jozo Simunovic retained his place despite a nightmare against Partick Thistle while the flair of Charly Musonda and Scott Sinclair was left on the bench.

The team responded to the circumstances and turned on the sort of determined display that has been too infrequent this season, glimpsed at away to Aberdeen and Anderlecht and at home to Bayern Munich.

Next week’s trip to Russia will be an even more demanding test but with last night’s 90 minutes behind them the team can fly out with belief.

There wasn’t a failure in the team, the substitutions worked well with the fans heading home happy that last season’s heights look like being recaptured with the supporters and players back performing in unison.

WORTH THE WAIT

From the day that he took charge of Celtic Brendan Rodgers wanted to get Charly Musonda on loan.

Patience is certainly a virtue with Chelsea agreeing, 18 months later, to send the Belgian playmaker north of the border for high profile first team action.

It was a brave decision to put Musonda on the bench, Tom Rogic or Scott Sinclair could have been used as subs but Rodgers opted to send on the kid from Chelsea who repaid his faith with the cross that set up Callum McGregor for the only goal of the game.

GREEN BRIGADE

It was a simple message from the Green Brigade but matched the mood on the park as Celtic set about the business of breaking down the Russians.

Throughout the match the fans gave the team great backing as Rodgers side pressed and pressed for the opening.

There was barely a groan from the stands all night, the size of the task was appreciated and then it all kicked off when Callum McGregor scored the winner that the players and supporters deserved.

PICK IT OUT

He made a scoring debut in Iceland four years ago, once again Callum McGregor showed that he has the ability to score at the highest level.

The cross from Charly Musonda was perfect but there was still plenty of work to be done.

McGregor confidently took the ball on his chest then as it hit the turf flicked home a half volley which went into the net off the underside of the bar.

HUDDLE

There wasn’t much in the way of expectation but there was hope in the stands as Scott Brown called the team together.

The displays against Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle were forgotten about as the hoops hit the heights rarely seen this season.

As a 90 minute performance it was the best of the season, produced on the big stage giving hope for the return leg and laying down a marker for the domestic challenges ahead.

MOUSSA DEMBELE

He didn’t get on the scoresheet but as this picture demonstrates the striker was a handful for the Zenit defenders.

There was no questioning his effort or application, with a little luck he will resume the goal trail that made him such an asset last season.

With no date set for Leigh Griffiths likely return Dembele will lead the line at Zenit, Pittodrie and Ibrox over the coming month, last season’s version would be very welcome.

BEFORE THE STORM

There was pressure on the boss going into the match, for the first time the mantra of ‘In Brendan we Trust’ was being questioned.

Three home defeats in the Champions League had cast a cloud over the season alongside a number of lacklustre domestic displays.

Injuries never helped but the Irishman quietly plotted his tactics, trusted his players and came up with the goods against Roberto Mancini who had considered Rodgers for a coaching role at Manchester City.

ROBBIE

Like so many before him the Italian knew that strange things happened in Glasgow’s east end, he had watched Juventus and AC Milan lose to Celtic.

Three years ago he had taken Inter Milan into the lions den and emerged with a 3-3 draw against a side managed by Ronny Deila.

Celtic wasn’t the draw that Zenit were looking for, after a robust 90 minutes the pressure is on the highly paid Italian to come up with the goods against a younger, hungrier and fitter Celtic side.

BROONY

From the first whistle till the last the skipper dictated the pace and tempo of everything Celtic did.

With the assistance of Olivier Ntcham and Eboue Kouassi Celtic dominated the midfield with Zenit never given the chance to impose themselves on the home side.

Brown has taken his game up a level or two since the arrival of Brendan Rodgers, they make them hardy through in Fife with Brown now rated up alongside the best skippers Celtic have ever had.

BREAKTHROUGH

It hasn’t been plain sailing this season for the players, defeats at Kilmarnock and Hearts have raised questions while three Champions League home defeats were tough to take.

Even with almost a whole team out injured Brendan Rodgers was still able to put out a recognisable side with a heavy influence from the club’s own academy

Throughout the Academy the aim is to produce elite players capable of playing at European level, few players have produced as much this season as Forrest, McGregor and Tierney.

PILE ON

It has been a while since we got to enjoy a proper Mikel Lustig celebration but that came to a halt last niht.

The Swede has been heavily criticised over the last few months but proved that on the big occasion he is a defender that can be relied upon.

Callum McGregor’s goal was a fantastic team effort build down the left wing and executed in style to give the hoops a slight edge ahead of the return leg.

SUPER SUB

He didn’t waste any time making an impact, brilliantly taking out two defenders with a cross that Callum McGregor turned into the back of the net.

Musonda has joined Celtic at a difficult time but last night’s win will do this team the world of good that can hopefully kick-start the season.

The on loan Chelsea kid will play more often than not, in the summer he will be fully upto speed for four rounds of Champions League qualifiers.