Celtic legend Chris Sutton has offered his measured perspective on Celtic’s recent goalless draw against Atalanta, praising their defensive resilience without celebrating the result. Sutton acknowledged the importance of the performance, emphasizing that while the Scottish champions showed courage and organization, he doesn’t view the outcome as one worthy of jubilation.
Celtic entered the match against Atalanta looking to recover from a heavy 7-1 defeat against Borussia Dortmund in their previous Champions League outing. Against a strong Atalanta side, Brendan Rodgers’ men put in a disciplined defensive effort to secure a point away from home. The result showcased a marked improvement in their defensive organization, which helped them stifle Atalanta’s attacking threats and secure a clean sheet.
While many pundits praised Celtic’s efforts, including Tam McManus and Neil Lennon—who went as far as calling it “one of the best” results in Brendan Rodgers’ managerial career—Sutton took a more restrained view. He highlighted the significance of Celtic’s response after the Dortmund defeat but made it clear that he doesn’t believe in celebrating a draw, even against tough opposition. For him, it was the manner of the performance, rather than the result itself, that stood out.
Sutton did, however, commend several standout performers on the night. He highlighted goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, calling him “a top-class goalkeeper” whose presence helped steady the team. Additionally, he praised the last-ditch defending from Auston Trusty and Liam Scales, whose efforts were crucial in maintaining the clean sheet. Sutton’s comments reflect an appreciation for the grit and determination shown by the players, even if he believes that Celtic should always aspire to more.
With the draw against Atalanta, Celtic now have one win, one draw, and one defeat in their Champions League league phase campaign, marking a solid start as they aim to progress in the competition. Their ability to adapt and improve defensively after the Dortmund setback has been a key takeaway, offering hope that they can compete at this level.
Next up for Celtic is a return to domestic action as they prepare to face Motherwell in the league on Sunday. This match will provide an opportunity for the Bhoys to build on the positives from their European outing and continue to assert themselves in the Scottish Premiership. As they look ahead to further challenges in the Champions League, maintaining their defensive discipline could be key to securing more positive results.
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