In what was a rollercoaster of emotions at Celtic Park, Celtic managed to secure a point in their UEFA Champions League clash against Club Brugge.
After a first half full of frustration, the Hoops came alive in the second half, thanks to an equalizer from Daizen Maeda.
However, Celtic’s night was far from straightforward, and the game ended with plenty of moments that will give Brendan Rodgers plenty to think about.
It was a nightmare start for Celtic, with the Belgian side taking control early on.
Brugge’s pressing game caused Celtic all sorts of problems, and the Bhoys struggled to get their passing rhythm going.
Despite early warnings, Celtic couldn’t avoid conceding the opener in the 26th minute.
A poor mistake from Cameron Carter-Vickers saw him play the ball into his own net under pressure, gifting Brugge the lead.
The first half continued with Brugge in the ascendancy, and Celtic seemed to be off the pace.
Yet, Celtic weren’t without their chances.
A diving header from Reo Hatate narrowly missed, and the Hoops grew into the game as the first half wore on, but they went into the break 1-0 down.
The second half kicked off, and it was evident for all to see a transformed Celtic.
Daizen Maeda brought an immediate shift in the game, as the winger scored a brilliant goal just 14 minutes into the second half.
A perfect touch and finish brought Celtic level, much to the relief of the supporters.
From there, Celtic dominated possession, pushing Brugge back, but the Belgian side remained dangerous on the break.
VAR played a crucial role in the final stages, as Brugge’s second goal was disallowed for an offside, giving Celtic a lifeline.
The home side pressed for a winner but couldn’t find it, and the match ended 1-1.
Celtic will be relieved to have salvaged a point, but the defensive mistakes and slow start will worry Rodgers.
With fixtures ahead, the Bhoys will need to find consistency and improve their performance in both boxes if they are to push for progression in Europe.
