Celtic kept their Champions League hopes alive with a determined performance in Italy, earning a crucial point in a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Atalanta. This gritty display brought the Bhoys’ tally to four points from three matches in the league phase, laying a solid foundation for their pursuit of a knockout playoff spot.

Speaking on Open Goal, Andy Halliday shared his theory on Celtic’s current situation. He believes that the hard-earned point in Bergamo alleviates pressure on Brendan Rodgers’ side ahead of their upcoming home match against Leipzig. “If they had lost to Atalanta, I think they would be heading into the Leipzig game under a lot of pressure,” Halliday explained.

He added, “At the start, it felt like Celtic needed to win. For me, they had to secure ten points from their four home games. But now, there’s less pressure heading into the match against Leipzig. A draw isn’t a bad result; while they’ll aim for a victory, that point in Italy gives them the freedom to afford a draw.”

Celtic Park is renowned for its unforgettable European nights, and a win over Leipzig could add another memorable chapter to the club’s Champions League history. Currently above Leipzig in the league phase, Celtic’s four points stand in stark contrast to the Bundesliga side’s empty tally, providing a glimmer of hope for the Hoops’ supporters as they look to secure their place in the knockout stage.

That said, Leipzig will be no pushover. Currently in excellent form domestically, they sit just behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on goal difference. For Celtic, the task is clear: they’ll need to replicate the resilience they showed against Atalanta when facing another quality opponent. A draw against the Germans would be a significant achievement!