YULE NEVER WALK ALONE
Celts secure European football after Christmas
CELTIC got their Christmas wish but there were a few Parkhead nerves jangling as well as jingling on the way.
It might be the season to be jolly but this time of year has a special meaning to the Hoops.
It’s not about the prezzies, the boozy nights out or away in a manger – it’s a benchmark for the entire campaign.
Celtic drew up their wishlist in the summer and the only gift they wanted was to be involved in Europe after Santa had tucked the sleigh back into the garage for another 12 months.
It was more of a silent night but Brendan Rodgers and Co eventually got just what they wanted to bring some festive cheer. Celts started in pot four and finished third in Group B. They may not have done it in style against Anderlecht but it was job done nonetheless.
The North Pole’s best elves couldn’t have delivered a Champions League last-16 place when the Hoops were hit with Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich in August’s draw.
Rodgers must have felt he had been slapped on Santa’s naughty list when handed those two superpowers.
But wrapping up a Europa League spot in the new year ended up being a pretty nice present – even if Celtic didn’t provide much festive fun on the way as they rounded off their campaign without a home win.
It was mission accomplished thanks to September’s 3-0 victory in Belgium but it’s clear there is still work to be done if Celts want more than a onetime trip in the Europa League.
Rodgers’s men wanted to get in the Christmas spirit but not too much given they couldn’t afford to offer Anderlecht any gifts.
The punters did their bit before kick-off, blasting out Yule Never Walk Alone. But there were a few worries as the Belgians threatened to pull off a miracle on Kerrydale Street.
Thankfully for the Parkhead faithful Anderlecht didn’t have Kris Kringle while Celtic could call on Craig Gordon.
It was a night when Celtic needed their main men to do the business and he stepped up along with Scott Brown.
The Hoops skipper reached an impressive milestone as he surpassed Kenny Dalglish as the top Scot for appearances in Europe’s main competition.
His boss heralded him a Parkhead legend in the making and it’s hard to argue.
No one is saying Brown is comparable with King Kenny – not when the former Celt and Liverpool star has three European Cup winners’ medals
up his cuff. But his value in these parts can’t be underestimated.
Celtic needed Brown to steady the ship on an evening that could have turned into a nightmare before Christmas.
It wasn’t the best of starts mind you when he got spun by Sofiane Hanni in two minutes and needed Gordon to bail him out with a stunning save.
Normal service resumed soon after and it wasn’t long before the main man was snapping into tackles and trying frantically to dictate the play through the middle.
It wasn’t just Brown who took a bit of time to warm up.
Celtic looked a tad edgy for a side with a three-goal lead in what had effectively turned into a two-legged play-off for the Europa League. Celtic fans are hooked on the Champions League and were far from impressed last night.
But it’s incredible to think only two years ago their side finished rock bottom of their group in European’s secondtier competition.
The Hoops were being made to look like mugs by the likes of Molde but after a couple of seasons mixing it with the elite – and taking a few dull ones – a return to the Europa knockout stages doesn’t seem so bad.
It might be a step down but it will be far from a walk in the park. There are some pretty big dogs left and Celtic could get bitten if a growler like Arsenal show their teeth.
However, you have to be in it – maybe not to win it but to at least have a crack at going a few rounds. Anderlecht got to the last eight last season and Hoops fans would snap a hand off to do likewise. Getting there at all was the first priority and no means a given after a slightly jittery opening. This wasn’t a stocking filler.
Anderlecht may have been wearing the same familiar purple colours they had on in Brussels but they looked a different side.
Everyone knew their gaffer Hein Vanhaezebrouck was at it in the build-up.
He arrived in Glasgow telling everyone who would listen his men had no chance, that even a draw would be a decent result, that it was going to be hell for his side to cope with Celts.
Pull the other one Hein. He had a long nose never mind a red one. His team were always going to have a go, especially with nothing to lose.
Celtic struggled to keep the ball and when they did have it they gave it away any time they got up the pitch.
Stuart Armstrong and Scott Sinclair were more guilty than most of gifting possession so it was no shock to see them sent to bed early as Olivier Ntcham and Tom Rogic replaced the pair at the break.
The move worked a treat. But while Celtic seized control the Belgians grabbed the lead.
Jozo Simunovic’s own goal caused a scare albeit the Hoops were smart enough to see it out.
It may have been no Christmas cracker but staying in Europe means Celtic can enjoy a Happy New Year.