Callum McGregor thinks Celtic have grown in Champions League maturity since the embarrassing defeat to Borussia Dortmund in September.
The Hoops have generally performed well in Champions League games across the last few seasons under both Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers.
But they have lacked a clinical edge and failed to see out games where they were in positions to go on and win.
That has changed this season, however, as Celtic qualified for the knockout stage of the competition for the first time since 2012/13.
The 1-0 victory over Young Boys on Wednesday was a well-deserved win and it shot Celtic up to 18th in the league phase table.
McGregor hails Celtic ‘maturity’ in Champions League
The feeling of euphoria felt at full-time around Parkhead was in stark contrast to the emotions felt after Dortmund dished out their 7-1 hammering a few months ago.
But skipper McGregor has recognised that the Bhoys are now managing games in Europe much better than they did previously and that has been a key factor in their success this season.
McGregor said: “There’s been a real progression since that first game. We’ve got nothing to fear. We’re a team with a good side at this level. The profile of the team is brilliant. We’ve got goals we can defend.
“There was a learning from that Dortmund game as well. We’ve been really good in games. We’ve actually been probably the dominant team in most of the games, especially here at Celtic Park.
“We knew we wanted to come and win the (Young Boys) game and that would relieve a little bit of pressure off us.
“We’ve managed to do that. It was a fantastic performance all round. The first half was outstanding again, really.
“We probably should have been a couple ahead, but in the second half, the game changes a little bit and you’ve got to stay in the game and wait on the momentum changing.
“That’s what this team has got really good at, especially in European football, being really mature against the ball.
“You can’t be 100mph all the time. I’m really delighted with the team and the way that they showed to get back into the game and go and finish strong and get the winner.
“The penalty can maybe deflate the team or the stadium. The response to that was actually really good. Like I said, the team is playing with really good maturity again at this level.
“I thought we got exactly what we deserved with the winner. We’re hanging in there a little bit in the second half, but that’s what this team has got good at, especially in European football.”
McGregor pleased with his own performance
McGregor was a standout for the Bhoys on Wednesday night as he captained the team over the line.
He completed the most dribbles during the game (3) while also coming out on top as the most accurate passer of the ball (95 percent success rate).
McGregor said: “I felt good in the game. Games like this, you need to look after the ball and you could actually see in the second half, where we start giving the ball away a little bit more, the game becomes more stretched.
“But the players were fantastic and these games are really challenging. To come out with another win – just brilliant.”
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