Point taken – No glory but plenty for the Celtic support to be proud of

No glory, but a lot to be proud of…

Last night’s game was one of the best I’ve attended in terms of a football spectacle. We might have left with only a point, but we more than proved we can compete at this level against a top, top side. It had drama, it had goals, and it had some great football, but unfortunately we failed to grab the full three points.

But just like against Lazio, we more than proved we belonged at this level. We maybe tired towards the end, but we were playing a side full of proven quality and World Cup winners. They were the real deal.

Celtic’s Japanese striker #08 Kyogo Furuhashi (L) celebrates after scoring his team first goal during the UEFA Champions League group E football match between Celtic and Atletico Madrid at Celtic Park stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, on October 25, 2023. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Our players though showed they have the talent as well as the belief to compete at this level. Our midfield were terrific, it was unfortunate we lost Reo Hatate early on, but his replacement Paulo Bernardo slotted in well beside Callum McGregor and the brilliant Matt O’Riley who notched up another assist and was a deserved Man of the Match.

Our defence was great once more with the return of CCV making us look more solid and of course Liam Scales beside him, who again continues his excellent form putting in yet another terrific display. Joe Hart is usually criticised at this level, but he pulled off a couple of stops and was unlucky to see his penalty save go straight back to Antoine Griezmann.

Kyogo again proved he can cut it at this level with another fine taken goal and Luis Palma who also notched a fine goal and Daizen Maeda put in a fine shift supporting him up top.

The fact that Daizen tired towards the end proved how much he put into the game. He was superb.

In the end we had to settle for only a point, but the fact Atletico were happy at the end tells its own story. The bigger picture looks good indeed.

The point keeps Celtic’s chances alive, slim as they are. We have now played all three opponents and we go into the return matches not having to prove anything, especially to ourselves, about being deserving of a place at this level. It’s taken two manager and a campaign and a half to get to this stage, now we can go on and pick up the points that our football merits and the goal of European football after Christmas is still a target this Celtic side can hit.