Celtic are in contention for the Champions League knockout playoff phase after their stalemate against Atalanta in midweek.
The Bhoys put on a resolute display in Italy that was reliant on a Herculean collective effort, taking their tally to four points in their opening three league phase encounters.
Post-match, Brendan Rodgers’ joked about Celtic’s robust approach against Atalanta, stating: “I’m not sure whether that was pragmatic enough for people tonight, I don’t know.”
Although lighthearted, there may have been a thinly-veiled dig in there at some who questioned his approach after the Hoops fell to a 7-1 defeat in Dortmund on matchday two.
Regardless, Celtic have positioned themselves at a decent vantage point in their bid for Champions League progression, with RB Leipzig next up on home soil set to provide another stiff test of their credentials.
Despite their flying Bundesliga form, one pundit believes the reigning Scottish Premiership champions have extra cause for leeway against Marco Rose’s men.
Celtic’s Champions League chances and Leipzig clash profiled
Speaking on Open Goal, pundit Andy Halliday believes Celtic’s Champions League draw against Atalanta means there is less ‘pressure’ on Rodgers’ men to claim a victory against Leipzig on matchday four.
He stated: “If they lost that game last night against Atalanta, I think they’re going into that Leipzig game under a lot of pressure.
“Three points from the first three games, you kind of feel as if you need to win that home game.
“You felt at the start Celtic need to win. For me, they had to take ten points from their four home games. I think there’s less pressure on them now at Leipzig.
“I don’t think a draw is a bad result, I think they’ll go try and win the game, but now getting that point away to Atalanta, I think they can afford a draw.”
Celtic will go all out for statement victory over RB Leipzig
Celtic Park has seen it’s fair share of famous nights over the years, but a victory over Leipzig to put them within touching distance of securing progression would be right up there with the best of them.
Undoubtedly, the Bundesliga outfit won’t be a straightforward opponent to take on. Bayern Munich lie above them in the German top-flight on goal difference, with both sides level on 17 points.
However, Celtic actually sit above Leipzig in the Champions League league phase on four points to their tally of zero, so there is plenty of room for optimism ahead of the tie.
Regardless, Atalanta is now in the past, meaning the Bhoys will need to summon the spirit shown in Italy once again against another elite opponent.
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