The old magic was back at Celtic Park as the hoops went toe-to-toe with RB Leipzig and came out on top.
A defeat would have left the hoops with two dead rubbers to complete a miserable European campaign but that was never an option from the moment that Kieran Tierney’s shot hit the back of the net.
Especially through the first half there was a great attacking edge to the way Celtic played, they were on the front foot testing and worrying quality opponents- and looking solid at the back.
There were various Man-of-the-Match candidates, Callum McGregor excelled in a Broony type role while the way that Ryan Christie’s Celtic career accelerates is incredible.
Summing up the entire performance was bouncing back from losing a goal to go back in front 13.88 seconds after the restart! Talk about a sucker punch.
Odsonne Edouard’s goal set up a very nervous last 12 minutes, plus stoppage time, but Celtic stood firm and enjoyed a deserved slice of luck when the Germans got through on goal.
The Europa League dream survives, next stop is Rosenborg knowing that a win in Norway will set up a match-day 6 thriller against RB Salzburg regardless of how the Red Bull derby ends up.
GOAL BHOYS
Any goal at the highest level in Europe is welcome, when it was created by two Academy graduates it becomes that bit more memorable.
Leipzig never really had an answer to the pace and trickery of Forrest on the right, on the other side of the park KT is an athlete with few equals.
It looked like Forrest had cut the ball back too far, it looked like Tierney should have hit it first time but his low drilled shot found the net and Celtic took the initiative.
SIGN ME UP
It just gets better and better for the man that was on the outside looking in a month ago.
Even starting away to RB Leipzig was hardly a breakthrough but Christie will never forget his visit to Murrayfield- the day that his Celtic career really kicked off.
His role in the Celtic side is difficult to define but it’s certainly effective as he puts in the industry and also supplies the craft to make things happen in the final third of the park.
FRENCH EDDIE BURIES IT
What a year it has been for the young French striker.
If Celtic players are judged by how they perform on the big stage Edouard passes with flying colours.
As the last remaining striker at the club there was extra responsibility placed on the former Paris Saint Germain striker but he thrived on that with some driving runs that scared the Leipzig defence.
Straight from the restart he knew what he had to do, his run was perfect as he executed Ryan Christie’s pass into the net without fuss.
MEAN MACHINE
They were down a few familiar faces but there was some important additions to the side that lost 2-0 in Leipzig.
Crucially Filip Benkovic was paired with Dedryck Boyata which ensured that no cheap goals were given away, in front of them everyone knew their job.
There wasn’t a failure among them, every attacking player made a contribution to a win that helps Celtic’s Europa League ambitions and boosts the confidence of every player involved.
BHOYS TALK
Rodgers has two very willing students in James Forrest and Callum McGregor.
A year ago they excelled against Bayern Munich, against RB Leipzig they looked in control, knowing the script and what to expect from their opponents.
Forrest and McGregor have built up a fair old bank of knowledge on the European arena, with long term contracts secured Celtic will be befitting for some time to come.
HE’S ONE OF OUR OWN
He doesn’t score many but when he does they tend to matter.
His last goal was away to Aberdeen when he raced 80 yards to notch the second goal that killed off any lingering thoughts of a title challenge from Derek McInnes’ side.
With a little more work on finishing KT could be knocking on 10 goals a season, he has the composure to finish and fitness to get himself into the positions that hurts opponents.