Celtic remain alive and kicking in the UEFA Champions League after a 1-1 draw at home to Club Brugge last night.
Cameron Carter-Vickers opened the scoring 26 minutes in at the wrong end of the pitch, the American central defender passing the ball into his own net after misjudging Kasper Schmeichel’s position.
The Hoops, however, duly responded in the second 45. Daizen Maeda got the Bhoys back on terms on the hour mark with a terrific turn and finish. The electric wide man was sharp as a tack to make it one apiece.
Aside from an offside Ferran Jutgla goal, Brendan Rodgers’ men dominated the late proceedings but couldn’t find a breakthrough for a winner.
Despite the players’ post-match frustration, Celtic remain well on course to make the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League following yesterday evening’s result.
Indeed, according to the reliable ‘X’ page ‘Football Meets Data’, Celtic have an 87% chance of making the last-16 play-offs, the second-highest of any team currently positioned between 9th and 24th in the league phase table.
Brendan Rodgers has got the Bhoys back competing in Europe, and fans couldn’t be more encouraged.
There is still a long way to go before their knockout place is confirmed, but the Scottish Premiership champions are in a hugely prosperous position with three games to go.
This CL campaign still remains solely in our own hands, so nothing to moan about really imo?
The top 8 finish is possibly beyond ourselves now, even if not impossible?
But that wasn’t our real intention from the start of the CL campaign, even if a win last night, could have put ourselves in dreamland?
The 10 points margin, still looks like being tight as a guaranteed knock out spot imo?
But this final league table will go right down to the wire, regarding where teams will finish up also?
Still remains a very enjoyable experience within the CL this season, and far bigger teams with a far better CL pedigree are under far more pressure than ourselves at present, especially with a fair few expected to be in the top 8, nowhere near it at present?
Brugge played the better fitbaw, than the Hoops. As they could press and defend better.
Unlucky doesn’t quite sum up last night’s game. St Brendan brought on the subs in the wrong order. Celtic can’t press nor defend in euro games.
So next two games will be all or nothing cavalry charges at goals. Or get beaten trying.