Perfect Paradise

James Forrest was delighted with the three Europa League points won in dramatic fashion in front of a home crowd

- Joe Sullivan And Tony Connelly

CELTIC have become rather used to being top of the tree in Scotland when it comes to league tables, but topping a table in the UEFA Europa League is something else altogether – and when that table includes Lazio, Rennes and CFR Cluj, then it is something to sing and shout about.

It has long been Celtic’s mantra that it’s who is at the top of the table at the end of the campaign that counts, and that will always be the case. However, at the midway point in Group E, most teams would settle for being top with seven points from the three games in such exalted company – and being the only unbeaten side from the four.

That’s the position Celtic now find themselves in and many supporters, players and backroom staff would have gladly settled for that at the commencement of the group stages.

A 1-1 draw in Rennes was Celtic’s reward for their positive attitude in the opening game, and that was followed up by two fantastic home wins. There was the 2-0 over CFR Cluj, the Romanian champions who and already beaten the Hoops in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, and last Thursday’s 2-1 defeat of Lazio, the No.1 seeds and perceived favourites to top the group.