On Saturday afternoon Brendan Rodgers stated that the draw against Aberdeen felt like a defeat. Last night was another draw but this time it felt like a victory as Celtic bolted the back door in Bergamo…

Penny has dropped for Brendan in Bergamo…

 “It’s not how we play. What do we do? Sit back, have 15% of the ball and probably lose 3-0, 4-0?” That was a quote from Brendan Rodgers three days after Celtic were humiliated in Dortmund.

Last night, in true catenaccio style, Celtic remained dogged defensively, displaying severe grit and determination. Something we have not been able to label a Brendan Rodgers team away from home in the Champions League.

Not only as a shape did we stay disciplined, we also had to rely on the exceptional Kasper Schmeichel to make some terrific saves. Yes, you have to ride your luck, and at times hang in the game and embrace the pressure such as at the end of the first-half, but you expect that facing the current Europa League holders.

Ironically, despite having majority of the possession, as the clock slowly ticked down, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team ran out of ideas.

Celtic must play this way against better opposition in the Champions League. Brendan Rodgers’ sides stalemate in Italy means that it’s the first time Celtic have picked up points on the road in Europe’s elite club competition since a 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in Poland two years ago.

The goalless draw also ends a run of 85 consecutive matches in European competition without a 0-0 for Celtic. The last was the opening fixture of the famous 2012/2013 Champions League campaign versus Benfica.

When the going gets tough, Celtic have exemplified in Bergamo that having a principled, defensive structure can lead to a positive outcome, and for Rodgers, a psychologically transformational result.

Conor Spence

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