NEIL LENNON praised his team’s performance in Latvia as ‘very good’ even though it took a last minute winner to save the game from extra time and the possibility of penalties.
It was a game much like any SPFL tie where the opposing team does their best to stifle Celtic – defending in numbers while trying to hit on the break. It wasn’t a vintage performance, it wasn’t even a ‘very good’ performance like the Celtic manager suggests. It was a game where at the end most would say it wasn’t pretty but it’s a win.
Neil Lennon praised his side and while he shouldn’t lambast them, using terms like very good and excellent isn’t exactly what we all watched:
“I thought we were very good. We had to wait a long time for the goal. Sometimes that happens in football.” The Celtic gaffer told SunSport.
“I thought we were excellent and our mentality was good. We missed a couple of really good chances to make life a little bit easier for us.
“Moi’s come up with a great goal and I’m delighted with the performance. It’s not easy playing away from home but it was a good performance and a very important win.
“It takes two teams to make a game watchable and Riga set out their intentions from very early on.
“Frimpong was superb second half. He’s put two beautiful crosses in and we should have scored off both of them.
“Then he comes up with another really good one. Albian makes a good run across the defender and a fantastic finish by Moi.
“Moi’s been out of the team for a few games and hasn’t been at his best but he’s trained brilliantly and he sets a great example for the rest of the squad.
“He comes up with a really important goal and I couldn’t be happier for him.”
“Jerry Frimpong is starting to look more like himself. He’s got a proper pair of boots on and he looks more comfortable.
“He gave us that verve and that impetus going forward. We looked strong at the back, strong in midfield with good fitness levels.
“It’s a difficult place whether there are fans or not.
“Copenhagen lost here last year so we were very wary of how difficult the game was going to be but I think we’ve handled it very well.”
Celtic now have a trip take on Sarajevo next week to determine who will make the group stage of the Europa League.
The bhoys will have to be better than they were on Thursday for sure. Over and above that, Neil Lennon’s men have a big game against Hibernian at home on Sunday.
With no fans inside the stadium there will be no home advantage and Hibs have been looking good. We must lay down a marker with three points to continue our winning run.
Celtic are one point off the top with a game in hand at the moment.
