BAIN REACTION

Celtic goalkeeper on returning to action, mental strength, and that Lille penalty save.

- JOE DONNELLY

THE first half of last week’s UEFA Europa League group-stage encounter with Lille at the Stade Pierre Mauroy unfolded at break-neck speed. Celtic were made to defend in the early stages. Olivier Ntcham was booked. Scott Bain made a string of fine saves. Mohamed Elyounoussi put the Hoops ahead. Then he scored another. And then Lille were awarded a penalty four minutes before half-time.

Not only had the Hoops’ stopper returned to Neil Lennon’s starting XI during a thrilling 3-3 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie four days prior, he’d been on the receiving end of two spot-kicks – both of which were netted by the Dons’ Lewis Fergusson.

The pressure was on at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, but, having stood firm against the advances of Boubakary Soumaré and Yusuf Yazici in the opening quarter of an hour, the 28-year-old looked increasingly confident as the half wore on. Off the back of a hat-trick one week earlier, Turkish forward Yazici looked all but certain to take the kick, and Bain had done his homework.

Yazici picked up the ball, walked towards the spot, and then handed the ball to 20-year-old striker Jonathan David, signed from Gent in the summer and still chasing his first goal on French soil.