Celtic silenced English pundit Jason Cundy with a resolute performance away to Europa League holders Atalanta last night.
Cundy was set for a typical pile-on if the Hoops fell to another disappointing Champions League defeat, but Brendan Rodgers’ men defended astutely and shut him up.
The Bhoys kept a rare clean sheet on the road in Europe, as Kasper Schmeichel remained reliable between the sticks. Auston Trusty and Liam Scales stood out at centre-half, too, with Alex Valle equally stout and lively at left-back.
Opposite him, Alistair Johnston walked the tightrope with perfect balance after picking up a yellow card early doors.
Post-match, Cundy, renowned for aiming digs at Scottish football, was gutted he couldn’t put the boot in on Celtic last night.
He said (talkSport via RecordSport): “Even Celtic let me down tonight. I was hoping they would drop points. Some result by the way. Great result.”
Celtic are in a positive position in the Champions League, having accumulated four points from their opening three games.
Although the usually critical Jamie O’Hara praised the Hoops, Cundy still couldn’t resist a typical dig. “Great result, Atalanta are a decent team,” said O’Hara before Cundy agreed yet proceeded to bring up the Hoops’ loss to Borussia Dortmund. “They [Atalanta] are [a decent team],” he said. “They [Celtic] couldn’t get their pants pulled down again after they got humbled. Was it seven they got spanked?”
Rodgers and Co. appear to have learned their lesson from the nightmare in Germany a few weeks ago.
Celtic defended more resolutely last night and remained tight-knit at the back throughout the 90 and beyond.
The players and manager can take utmost heart from a courageous performance.
