Well Thursday’s game wasn’t of much importance in the grand scheme of things but we still triumphed 3-2 and in the process made sure we didn’t finish a group without a win or less than three points.
Incredibly the 10 goals we scored equalled the same number we hit in the group stage last season when we won our section and captured 13 points but alas the 29 goals conceded dwarfed our scoring efforts and was what ultimately condemned us to bottom place and our first pre-Christmas exit from Europe since 2016.
Lille weren’t just there to make up the numbers either and genuinely wanted to win the game which would have seen them top the group and be seeded in the Last 32 next year.
A strong line-up followed by a flurry of attacking substitutions early in the second half underlined that.
But a much-changed Celtic team were up to the task and with David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro in the midfield, in particular, there was a renewed vibrancy and effectiveness in our play.
Turnbull capped that off with the winning goal in the second half after excellent wing play by Kristofer Ajer who slotted impressively into the right-back role after Jeremie Frimpong had to go off injured in the first half.
Soro was the man of the match however with an energetic display replete with tidy passing and closing down opposition players.
Both must now be certainties for the visit of Kilmarnock tomorrow but at Celtic, nothing is ever certain.
Conor Hazard also made his debut in goal and though he had little to do what he did do he did so with composure.
Again you’d imagine he’s now earned his chance for a game tomorrow.
Top the game itself and like every game now it’s a must-win for Celtic.
Anything other than three points and that really is all she wrote on the title front.
Killie have been a mixed bag this season.
After starting off the season with no wins in five the pressure eas on manager Alex Dyer though they did secure a 1-1 draw against us at Rugby Park.
They then won four from five with the only loss a 1-0 defeat up in Aberdeen.
But it’s been on win in five since with all four of their losses being 1-0 scorelines.
That included a 1-0 defeat at bottom-placed Hamilton Accies last week though they were down to ten men for most of it after Clevid Dikamona got his marching orders on 29 mins.
The 20 goals they’ve conceded this season is joint fifth in the league for letting in the least and is only four more than our own total in the negative column.
But with only 18 scored goals have been hard to come by with Nicke Kabamba and veteran Chris Burke their leading scorers on five apiece.
I suspect they’ll sit in and look for success at set-pieces.
Kabamba’s physical presence certainly ruffled the feathers of big Chris Jullien during the last match at Rugby Park and look for him to try more of the same tomorrow.
At this stage, any win will do though we really do need to start scoring goals again if we are to really stand a chance of closing the gap on Rangers.
I’d be surprised if Odsonne Edouard wasn’t brought back in again tomorrow as despite his indifferent form he still remains our top scorer and a genuinely special player.
Anyway, we wait with bated breath.
Did Thursday evening signal the beginning of a revival or just a blip in the recent poor form?
Are Turnbull and Soro the answer or was it just one good game?
I guess we’ll soon see.
Though I do know the answer I’m hoping for.
....Always A Tim! 