Celtic drew 1-1 at Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday night.
Pundit and former Celtic striker Andy Walker told Sky Sports’ Soccer Special (01/11/2016) that he felt the Bhoys’ performance against Borussia Monchengladbach was a ‘great improvement’.
Celtic were beaten 2-0 by Gladbach in the Champions League at Celtic Park two weeks ago, but they managed to pick up a point against the Bundesliga side on Tuesday evening.
The Bhoys fell behind as Lars Stindl gave Gladbach a first half lead, but Celtic hit back when Julian Korb was sent off for fouling Moussa Dembele, with the French striker stepping up to equalise for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s Lars Stindl celebrates scoring against Celtic
The result doesn’t exactly help Celtic’s bid to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, as they lie five points behind second placed Manchester City with just two games to play, but third place is achievable.
Celtic sit just two points behind third-placed Gladbach, and third place results in qualification for the Europa League, meaning Rodgers and Celtic could prolong their European campaign this season.
Celtic’s Moussa Dembele scores from a penalty against Borussia Monchengladbach
After the final whistle, former Celtic and current pundit Andy Walker spoke to Sky Sports’ Soccer Special about the performance, and it’s fair to say he was impressed with what he saw from Celtic.
Walker stated that it was a ‘great improvement’ from the performance against Gladbach two weeks ago, suggesting that the Bhoys bridged the gulf in class from the first game between the two teams.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Walker added that Celtic are starting to look like they belong in the Champions League, and feels that Rodgers is putting an exciting team together, naming Scott Sinclair, Moussa Dembele, James Forrest and Tom Rogic as players that Rodgers can build around.
“A great improvement,” said Walker. “I thought there was a gulf in class when they played in Glasgow a couple of weeks ago. I thought Borussia Monchengladbach were streets ahead; tonight, it was a much better contest. I think what you’re seeing – and you can judge by the reaction of the Celtic supporters after the game – I think they’re looking at a team here that can actually feel as though they belong in the Champions League.”
“So often when Celtic go away from home, they just look out of place, they look out of sorts, they never threaten. Tonight, they threatened. I think you’re seeing the first signs of a really exciting team that Brendan Rodgers is putting together. Scott Sinclair, Moussa Dembele, James Forrest is like a new player, Rogic has taken a further step up the ladder and is much more consistent, defensively they’re more sound, so I think Celtic are strong – they were really decent tonight,” he added.
What did you think of Celtic’s display against Gladbach?
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