Patience was a virtue on a night when even punch-bag Samaras came good

THE Celtic support travel in fear rather than expectation these days. But the 28,578 who turned up to their club’s citadel at least travelled unfalteringly with their team.

That is an increasingly rare occurrence. Yet, the noisy and sustained backing they gave their brittle side must be factored in to the fact that they demonstrated real backbone and ultimately real character.

When Gary Hooper netted Celtic’s clinching third goal with eight minutes remaining, the stadium came alive for a European night as it has not since the Champions League last-16 nights under Gordon Strachan what seems an age ago. One standard that was given laldy was the refrain about being Celtic supporters “faithful, through and through”. And, for those in attendance at least, that claim can be said to have genuine credence. The crowd were entitled to revel in a huge win because they played their part in it being delivered.

At the weekend a fullish Celtic Park offered little encouragement to a team that so many of its followers have lost faith in. But those who bothered to take up their pre-bought Europa League tickets last night – and quite a few elected not to use them – were clearly the hardcore and not to be confused with the fairer-weather variety of Celtic’s followers who can often nullify the backing of those who want to hope for the best of their team.

Most impressive of all was the reaction to the body blow of Rennes’ opening goal after 99 seconds. This wasn’t the cue for the sort of vituperations now dominant among the phone-in and cyberspace fans. As the Celtic team struggled comprehensively to regroup following Kader Mangane’s zonal-marking exposing header, those in the stands did just that.

It was curious to be in Celtic Park on a night when even the punters’ emotional punch-bags, Georgios Samaras and Daniel Majstorovic, attracted more patience than barracking. And, even as Lennon’s side made no headway for 29 minutes the home crowd still did not turn on them. That was perhaps in recognition of the fact that, even if the player’s work was shaky and shoddy, the rate of it was admirable. Everything turned on a desperate mistake, and the Celtic faithful enjoyed full renewal because, for once, the fault lay with an opposition player – Anthony Stokes turning the ball in after goalkeeper Benoit Costil had parried a James Forrest shot in slap-dash fashion.

Thereafter, the crowd were transformed from quietly supportive to full egg-on mode and the results of that might be considered startling. Because, in the remaining 15 minutes of the first half, it was Samaras who proved so telling a presence. Stokes provided a brilliant finish to make it 2-1 but the headed flick-on from the Greek was textbook.

Soon afterwards, and as the interval loomed, Samaras hared up the other end to make a crucial sliding tackle to prevent a ball into the box and, from the resultant corner, was there at the back post, to block a shot and ensure Celtic did not immediately give up their unexpected advantage. And it was the same Samaras who made a 30-yard run and played the perfect ball in for Hooper to seal the victory. Supporters actually supporting their own players can prove worthwhile, wouldn’t you know.