“Brave, gutsy, yes mistakes still being made but Celtic can be proud of that performance,” Chris Sutton

“Mixed emotions for Celtic after letting a two goal lead slip. Bottom line is Neil Lennon looked like he had his Celtic team back tonight. Brave, gutsy, yes mistakes still being made but Celtic can be proud of that performance tonight… Elyounoussi best game in a Celtic jersey,” was the immediate post-match verdict from BT Sport co-commentator Chris Sutton after Celtic were pinned back from a 2-0 half-time lead to share the spoils in a 2-2 draw with French high flyers Lille.

Celtic were in dreamland at the interval with two wonderful goals from Moi Elyounoussi and the frustration for the watching Hoops fans was that the Norwegian international forward had two similar opportunities to get shots away in the second half and passed up on them both.

Both teams put so much into a match and both looked out on their feet in the closing stages. Kris Ajer seemed to suffer a groin injury stretching for a challenge early in the second half and he is now going to be a major doubt for the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden on Sunday against Aberdeen. The 4-3-3 formation certainly looked better and Celtic had stand outs all over the park.

Both fun-backs were mightily impressive with Frimpong at last finding a telling final ball for an assist in Celtic’s second. Ajer continued his run of decent form until the injury – he was replaced by Nir Bitton, back after his Covid illness. Scott Bain made a few good saves and the highlight of his night was his penalty save just before the interval. It was a shocking decision by the referee to award a spot kick as Duffy’s challenge was clearly outside the box. No hard was done though. Bain almost undid his own good work by spilling a simple cross shortly afterwards but this time the crossbar came to Celtic’s rescue to save Bain’s blushes.

Callum McGregor was the stand-out in the middle of the park and Ryan Christie has to put his hands up for letting his man go to allow Lille back into the match from a set play. The equaliser was going but when not did it was scary to say the least.

Odsonne Edouard returned and we should see more of him at the weekend when Celtic will aim to get back to winning ways. It’s all to play-for for Celtic in the Europa League again and if you’d have offered us a draw and a good performance before the game we’d have bitten your had off.

Man of the Match – Moi Elyounoussi.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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