Dinamo Zagreb star Marko Pjaca has dubbed Celtic a ‘serious team’ after their goalless draw in the Croatian capital on Tuesday evening.
The Hoops travelled to the Stadion Maksimir believing they could end their long seven-year wait for a victory on the road in European football’s premier club competition. It wasn’t to be, however, and they had to settle for a point.
Celtic’s Callum McGregor in action with GNK Dinamo Zagreb’s Martin Baturina REUTERS/Antonio Bronic
Given Zagreb’s injury crisis and how lacklustre Brendan Rodgers’ side were in attack, the match can be seen perhaps as a missed opportunity. In contrast, a second point and clean sheet away from home in the Champions League shouldn’t be sniffed at.
Indeed, aside from their 7-1 trouncing at the hands of Borussia Dortmund on matchday two, Celtic haven’t played particularly poorly in Europe this season. Pjaca’s comments post-match on Tuesday add testament to such a point.
The winger was full of praise for the Scottish Premiership champions: “Celtic are a really good, serious team who have been in great form recently,” he said (Glasgow Times).
“Remember, they have only lost once in the Champions League this season and that was away to Borussia Dortmund.
“So I think we can be proud of our display, and we looked really solid throughout the game.”
Celtic’s European attention now turns to Young Boys. Victory against the Swiss outfit next month will secure the Hoops’ place in the Champions League’s last-16 play-offs.
The Berne side are already eliminated from the competition after losing 5-1 to Stuttgart last night and remain bottom of the league phase. Beating them will be easier said than done, though.
