KASPER SCHMEICHEL celebrated becoming the first Celtic No.1 in over seven years to keep a clean sheet in the team’s Champions League travels when he defied Atalanta in Bergamo last night.
You have to go back to September 17 2017 in Brussels to find the last time the Hoops achieved the feat when Craig Gordon was in charge of the gloves in a 3-0 win over Anderlecht.
Schmeichel enjoyed five shut-outs in eight games during Leicester City’s campaign in Europe’s premier tournament in 2016/17 and was eager to blank the Italians on this occasion, as CQN reported yesterday.
Following the 7-1 drubbing in Dortmund, the 37-year-old legendary Dane was determined to get back on track as quickly as possible and he was delighted with the team’s courageous display in Bergamo.
JUST CHAMPION…Kasper Schmeichel is a happy Bhoy after his shut-out in Bergamo.
Schmeichel said: “I thought it was an incredible defensive performance. When we did have the ball, we carved out some chances.
“But it was always going to be tough against a side I think are the highest scoring team at home in Europe or, at least, in Italy.
“So, to come here and get a point is a good point.”
Schmeichel, speaking to TNT Sports, added: “We had to defend with our lives. We did that and I’m very proud of the boys.
“We took a few less chances in the build-up because of their man-to-man system, we tried to exploit that and I thought a couple of times it worked.
“But it’s always going to be difficult going away from home in Europe against a system that’s so aggressive.”
Schmeichel and Co will face RB Leipzig on matchday four in the Champions League at Parkhead a week on Tuesday and there is another home encounter against Club Brugge just over three weeks later.
However, the focus is now on picking up Premiership points when Brendan Rodgers’ men take on Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday.
CELTIC PROVE POINT IN ITALIAN JOB