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'Outstanding' - Gordon blown away by duo after Celtic win against Anderlecht
By James Black
Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon hailed Celtic’s centre-back pairing of Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata as “outstanding” after last night’s 3-0 win over Anderlecht.
The Hoops surprised many with the scoreline – only their second away win in the Champions League in 25 years – as they gave their hopes of European football after Christmas a huge boost.
The result now puts the Hoops in the driving seat in the race for third place in Group B.
The win over Anderlecht was also the first time the Scottish champions had ever kept a clean sheet in the Champions League away from home.
Gordon, who has a stunning clean sheet record of 12 in 17 games this season, admitted his side had to work hard for the victory but was impressed with Boyata and Simunovic.
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“We had to work for it at times, but the guys in front of me were brilliant.” Gordon said as quoted by the Evening Times website.
“The two centre-halves dealt with most things that came their way, they were really solid together and they helped us keep the ball at times which kept us in control of the game.
“They were outstanding, they really stood up to the test.
“It is a great result. It means a lot to us.
“We didn’t create that many chances, but we stuck away the ones we did manage to make so it is a great night’s work and as the group progresses I am sure it will turn out to be a very significant one.
“We probably didn’t expect 3-0 going into the game.”
Celtic are now level on points with Bayern Munich in Group B with the Germans next up for Brendan Rodgers’ side after Leigh Griffiths, Patrick Roberts and Scott Sinclair scored in Belgium on Wednesday night.
Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain are expected to progress to the next round but with the Bundesliga champions sacking manager Carlo Ancelotti earlier on Thursday, Celtic could look to sneak into second place.
In other Celtic news, fans have slammed this 24-year-old for his display against Anderlecht.
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