Nygren seals comeback as Celtic give grumbling fans some cheer at last

It is difficult to correlate the Celtic team who made great inroads into last season’s Champions League with the one who have failed to convince at home or abroad in this campaign.

- Ewan Murray

Benjamin Nygren heads Celtic in front, minutes after they made it 1-1

It is technically not the same team of course, with inaction in the transfer market triggering a level of frustration within Brendan Rodgers that the manager has done little to mask.

Perhaps Sunday’s dismal defeat at Dundee was a Celtic nadir. Sturm Graz are ordinary in a Europa League context but Celtic showed admirable spirit to rebound from a goal down and claim three valuable points. Celtic were worthy winners, their second-half performance one to give Rodgers particular cheer. Graz, who offered nothing after Celtic edged in front, closed with 10 men.

The latest chastening evening for Scottish clubs in Europe had seen Rangers humbled in Brann and Aberdeen embarrassed by AEK Athens before Celtic kicked off. At present coefficient rate, those from Scotland’s Premiership will have to start qualifying for continental competition at Easter. The landscape is grim, and typically lost in tribal obsession.