ATA BHOY BRENDAN

Rodgers vindicated as he proves he can get results away against the big boys

THE jittery jobsworths at Bergamo city council slapped a booze ban on Celtic's fans.

But it didn't stop the travelling punters toasting a heroic performance as Brendan Rodgers and his boys banished their Dortmund demons.

This superb Champions League point against one of the hottest outfits in Europe could be vital in their bid to reach the knockout stages.

But it was also redemption - and vindication for Rodgers after getting battered in the wake of that 7-1 loss to Borussia.

The Northern Irishman proved he can change his approach... he can be pragmatic... he can get results away from home against the big boys.

Fair play to Rodgers. His team played a blinder but so did he.

The tactics were spot on - even before the game.

Rodgers saying he wouldn't change on the eve of the match and Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini saying he was quite right.

Turned out it was just a trap. Celtic's set-up and approach was completely uncharacteristic - and it got the job done thanks to an epic shift from the players.

Sure, they had to weather a few storms along the way but by the end the Italians had run out of ideas and were climbing up the Bergamo city walls.

It might not have been a win but it sure felt like one.

And it also felt like Celtic rebuilt a reputation that was left in tatters in Germany.

This was a seriously impressive result and performance against a seriously strong Atalanta side - in more ways than one.