Almost unnoticed, last night Celtic kept their first clean sheet in five matches.
Again it was a new look defence, recent signings Boli Bolingoli and Christopher Jullien were in from the start, Kris Ajer shifted to right-back and Craig Gordon made his third appearance of the season.
Swedish champions AIK didn’t pose much of a threat but other than one rushed pass-back early in the game from Jozo Simunovic the hoops defence barely put a foot wrong.
In defence it is all about partnerships and understanding. Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell reached the last 16 of the Champions League, a few years later Kelvin Wilson and Efe Ambrose did likewise.
Celtic have now played 10 competitive matches this season, new signings are still expected at the back before the transfer window closes but Neil Lennon was encouraged by what e watched last night.
“The clean sheet is really important,” he told The Sun. “Because we’ve not had one for three or four games. We defended resolutely when we needed to.
“The centre halves were very strong and Boli Bolingoli played particularly well. Kris Ajer’s having an outstanding time of it. We were big and physical when we needed to be and let the others get on with it.”
Lennon will now look to build on that clean sheet against Hearts on Sunday while working on the transfer market with Fraser Forster almost certain to come in as his first choice goalkeeper.