Celtic arguably produced their best performance under Neil Lennon as they comfortably beat Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday.
Billy Dodds lauded Celtic trio Hatem Elhamed, Christopher Jullien and Boli Bolingoli for their performance during their win at Rangers on Sunday afternoon.
Going into the Old Firm encounter, Neil Lennon’s side were being questioned, and their defence was, in particular, being questioned by those from the outside.
But it is fair to say that the Scottish Premiership champions answered their critics in a pretty powerful fashion, as they didn’t just walk away from Ibrox with three points, but a clean sheet also.
Former Rangers man Dodds shared nothing but positive words about Celtic’s defence, as he claimed that centre-back Jullien was ‘commanding’ in the defensive half. He also praised Bolingoli for his display after he was ‘getting a lot of stick’ for his performances in previous matches.
“I have to complement Celtic’s back four as well,” Dodds told BBC Sport. “It was pointed out that Steven Gerrard would have been looking at that. New back four. Bitton sitting in there. New signings all over the place.
“I thought Elhamed was outstanding. Anything he had to handle [he did], his tackle in the first half. Jullien was commanding. Bolingoli was getting a lot of stick, but he handled the occasion. The back four were excellent.”
Nir Bitton and Jullien were arguably the best players on the pitch, but the former had to go off injured in the second half, but even with right-back Moritz Bauer coming on as his replacement, it didn’t affect Lennon’s side.
It gives Celtic a big boost going into the international break and they have no doubt set down the marker that they are here to win nine-in-a-row.
The win at Ibrox also means that Celtic maintain their 100% start to the Premiership season, but they will be well aware that there is still a long way to go.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
