Celtic earned an excellent 1-0 victory over Zenit St. Petersburg on Thursday night.
Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has heaped praise on Brendan Rodgers when talking on BT Sport after the Hoops’ excellent 1-0 win over Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg on Thursday night.
Despite a huge number of injuries, Rodgers masterminded a superb win at Paradise thanks to a late Callum McGregor goal as well as a superb rearguard display that saw Kristoffer Ajer and Jozo Simunovic shine.
McGregor scored in the 78th minute after coming into the side to make his first start in four games, with an exquisite finish with his right foot from eight yards out after new signing Charly Musonda looped the ball over the Zenit defence to find him.
Lennon believes Rodgers deserves all the plaudits after orchestrating a “perfect” win against Roberto Mancini’s side with all eyes now on next Thursday’s second leg in Russia.
“I think he deserves an enormous amount of credit for tonight,” Lennon said. “The squad has been decimated by injuries, a lot of negativity coming into the game off the back of the Champions League campaign.
“He got the tactics bang on, he got the personnel bang on, he got the substitutions spot on. It’s been a perfect night for Celtic really. 1-0, clean sheet, going into the second leg it gives Celtic a real foothold in the tie and that’s all Brendan could have wanted.”
The Hoops were without Craig Gordon, Anthony Ralston, Marvin Compper, Dedryck Boyata, Stuart Armstrong, Paddy Roberts, Jonny Hayes and Leigh Griffiths, with Rodgers down to the bare bones.
It saw him even include youngster Calvin Miller on the substitutes bench, while Kouassi Eboue started in midfield. It remains to be seen if the former Liverpool manager will be able to welcome back any of his crocked stars for the second leg.
Focus nos switches to Sunday afternoon’s Scottish Premiership clash against St. Johnstone at Parkhead.
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