The Parkhead legend was in awe of the Hoops coming from behind to beat Lazio and hailed Bhoys boss Neil Lennon.
Celtic legend and BBC Sport pundit Pat Bonner has praised the Hoops for their superb 2-1 win over Lazio in Thursday night’s Europa League clash at Parkhead, deeming Neil Lennon’s charges ‘stronger’ than under Brendan Rodgers.
Lazio were bright from the off and took the lead five minutes before the break when Manuel Lazzari burst down the right, cut inside and rifled an effort past Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
The Bhoys were slow out of the starting blocks after the interval – ‘couldn’t put two passes together’ according to Bonner – but they went on to deliver as Ryan Christie swept in the equaliser with 23 minutes remaining before Christopher Jullien rose highest to head home a dramatic 89th-minute winner.
The drama carried on until the very end as Forster’s world-class save kept out Danilo Cataldi’s volley to keep Celtic top of Group E with seven points from three games, a point ahead of CFR Cluj.
“Celtic couldn’t put two passes together at the start of the second half but they kept going,” Bonner said on BBC Sport. “Credit to Neil Lennon – he made the changes that turned the game in Celtic’s favour. The fans were up for it and it really was a special European night here.
“It wasn’t a backs-to-the-wall performance at all. If anything, the threat that Lazio had was on the counter-attack. Celtic have just shown another side to their game. When things get tough they roll up their sleeves.
“Last year and the year before we were watching European games and not knowing what Celtic was going to turn up. I think they look stronger now and have a better balance. They have a stronger squad than when Brendan Rodgers was here. Rodgers’ team played good football but they were open in Europe under him.”
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