Leigh-der of the Green Party says Brexit’s a bogey
Griff’s nose for goal wipes the Belgians away
CRUCIAL Brexit talks are ongoing in Brussels this week but Celtic boosted their chances of staying in Europe with a stunning win in the Belgian capital.
The European Parliament sits just a couple of lengthy Craig Gordon punts from Anderlecht’s Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.
It’s where Brexit secretary David Davis jetted in on Monday for negotiations over Britain’s EU withdrawal but the Hoops did their talking on the park as they look to secure post-Christmas European football.
There is no need for politicians to talk up this result either – only Celtic’s second away win in 28 Champions League group games on the road. And it was convincing.
It came when they needed it most with the outcome of the head to head against Anderlecht likely to determine who is parachuted into the Europa League.
Not that Celtic will be conceding anything yet in Group B with this result a confidence booster ahead of next month’s daunting double header against Bayern Munich.
Brendan Rodgers had won just one game in the Champions League group stage and that was as boss of Liverpool against Bulgarian side Ludogorets.
After sweeping all before him domestically since moving to Parkhead he can take satisfaction from this – Celtic’s first win on the road against Europe’s elite since Spartak Moscow five years ago.
Leigh Griffiths netted his first goal in the group stage to set the Hoops on their way. Accused of wiping his beak on a Rangers flag in the weekend Old Firm win he showed his nose for goal to fire home in the first half.
It came after a shaky start from the Hoops who were careless in possession and made a mockery of recent stats that showed they were pass masters in Europe.
But they raised their game and a deflected Patrick Roberts strike and injury-time Scott Sinclair goal made sure of the points.
That ended a run of 10 games without victory in the group stage and sparked a party for Celtic supporters in Brussels.
Around 1200 Hoops fans officially made the trip and security was tight in a city still on edge after last year’s suicide bombings.
Soldiers patrolled the streets and hundreds of ticketless supporters who travelled weren’t allowed near the stadium.
The atmosphere was crackling inside the compact stadium with the travelling legions situated behind one goal.
Some must have had one too many strong Belgian beers before kick off if their pre-match banter was anything to go by – after mistaking former Hoops favourite Johan Mjallby for Robbie Savage!
The big Swede was pitchside on the BT Sport panel alongside fellow former Celts Chris Sutton and John Hartson and their names were chanted while “Savage” got stick.
If there was a cordon for the fans outside the ground inside the 21,500-capacity arena Celtic were looking to put the barriers up and they did that to keep their first clean sheet in the group stage since a scoreless draw at home to Benfica five years ago.
Anderlecht suffered a disastrous start to the season, sitting seventh in the Belgian league after just three league wins and sacking manager Rene Weiler.
Yet while there was plenty of reason for optimism for the Hoops, their last trip to Brussels 14 years ago was a reminder of their rotten luck on the road in this tourney.
They faced Anderlecht under Martin O’Neill and despite the Belgians having a man sent off after 25 minutes it was an all too familiar story as the Hoops went down to Aruna Dindane’s goal.
Still Celtic arrived in Brussels on the back of a comfortable Old Firm derby win as they looked to recover from that 5-0 thumping by PSG.
This was regarded as the first of a two-legged tie for a Europa League spot within a group that boasted two Euro superpowers.
With so much at stake – including a £35k win bonus for the home players – it was cagey and Olivier Ntcham looked particularly shaky early doors.
Yet Celtic’s opener was inspired by the former Manchester City midfielder who played a lovely ball down the left for Kieran Tierney whose cross was met by Griffiths.
And the Hoops caught the Belgians with another sucker punch after the home side shot themselves in the foot, gifting possession to Roberts whose shot was deflected off Serigne Mbodji.
Celtic have been untouchable at home but this is where Rodgers will be judged and it was a huge victory for the Northern Irishman.
Anderlecht might have had problems but still boasted players such as £7million Henry Onyekuru.
For Rodgers it was about prestige and not cash. Barring a disaster when the teams meet again at Parkhead, it’s Celtic who will fall into the Europa League.
Anderlecht reached the quarterfinals of the continent’s second-tier competition last season and Celtic have every right to fancy their chances of a run in the tourney.