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The three defining moments in Celtic’s season

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Has it been a roller-coaster season, one of consolidation or a gentle slip back in standards?

Taking last season out of the equation there is no doubt that the current season has been as good as any in the last decade.

Europe after Christmas and effectively two matches away from just the fifth treble in the club’s history.

Under the surface, away from the stats a variety of debates are in full flow about where Celtic are and where they are heading.

One thing that is very clear is that Brendan Rodgers is here for the medium term at least, unless something drastic and unexpected happens the Irishman will be with Celtic at the end of the 2018/19 season which is quite a stint in the modern game.

Injuries have had a major impact on the season in terms of missing key performers and chopping and changing the side.

Central defence and the striking position have been hardest hit but with the business end of the season upon us players are returning with big decisions having to be made.

ANDERLECHT 0-3 CELTIC

Any Champions League win is a cause for celebration, even more so when it is away from home on the back of a 5-0 home hammering.

There has been no shortage of hard luck stories on the road in the Champions League but this time the hoops got some breaks against a team with a caretaker manager and out of form.

Rodgers was bold with his team selection, he went for the win and after a nervy first 30 minutes Celtic came good with Leigh Griffiths making the breakthrough.

The second half was a joy as Celtic treated Anderlecht like SPFL opponents- little did we know that it would be the only points collected in the campaign but enough to secure third place.

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG 3-0 CELTIC

After two steps forward it was three backwards as the hoops tumbled tamely out of the Europa League after a well earned 1-0 first leg lead.

Hopes were high that the team was streetwise enough to at least test the Russians but the wounds were self inflicted as Zenit cruised to a comfortable win.

We already realised that the knock out phase of the Champions League was unlikely, it was a sobering to think that the last 16 of the Europa League also looked a step too far.

It was the last of 14 European ties of the season, after this defeat it was difficult to make out a case that the team had progressed from last season.

SEVCO 2-3 cELTIC

This was much closer than many could have imagined- and that made the win even sweeter.

The build up from the home side was incredible, they really did believe that a few goals against Falkirk and Ayr had Celtic cowering in fear.

Some of Celtic’s defending was fearful but when called upon the hoops came up with the goods- highlighted by Moussa Dembele’s equaliser just before half time which dampened the hysterics of the home support.

Brendan Rodgers came good after the break, so much so that Barry Ferguson believed that going down to ten men turned the match Celtic’s way!

Odsonne Edouard produced a magical winning goal while Scott Bain stood firm at the back as Alfredo Morelos wilted under pressure.

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