Celtic produced a gutsy Champions League display in Bergamo against Atalanta as Brendan Rodgers's team earned a precious point in Italy with a gargantuan goalless draw. The Scottish champions stunned the whole of European football as they managed to shut out Gian Piero Gasperin's Europa League winners in the Gewiss Stadium.

Celtic showed true grit and determination as they emphatically laid the ghosts of the 7-1 battering in Dortmund on Matchday Two firmly to rest by achieving one of the best results in their recent European history. Celtic weren't given any hope of a result before a ball was kicked in this clash but it proved to be a night for heroes on Italian soil as goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and central defensive pairing Auston Trusty and Liam Scales duly obliged.

It was Rodgers who produced a major selection surprise ahead of kick-off in this one when he opted for the Republic of Ireland international striker Adam Idah to lead the line ahead of goalscoring talisman Kyogo Furuhashi who dropped to the bench. 

It was the hosts who almost took the lead on 18 minutes when Mario Pasalic smashed in a header that crashed off the underside of Kasper Schmeichel's crossbar as Celtic got lucky. Arne Engels then curled in a low effort on target that Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi beat away with both hands.

However, the Italians were guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance soon after as Pasalic cracked in a shot that was straight at the Celtic goalkeeper's legs when it looked easier to score. Celtic were under the cosh for long spells but a combination of resolute defending by Liam Scales and Auston Trusty and a superb display of goalkeeping kept the scoreline blank at half-time. The visitors had Schmeichel to thank for that when he somehow kept out Mateo Retegui's bullet header before the break.

Schmeichel then beat away a Marten de Roon effort as Atalanta tried to make the vital breakthrough. Celtic's attacks were sporadic but they continually tried to exploit the pace of Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn whenever they could.

The unbelievable stalemate saw Celtic move onto four points in the race for Champions League league phase qualification to the knockout phase. It could well be the result that breathes new life into Celtic's European campaign under Rodgers.

A century of appearances for Reo Hatate

It was a career milestone for Hatate as the Japanese midfielder clocked up his 100th appearance for Celtic. It was a massive night for the playmaker whose first pass went awry but after that, he steadied the ship and started to try and link the play from middle to front and to support Idah in attack. He even had an early effort in the 16th minute that drifted wide of target. However, Hatate was always looking to be on the front foot and get things going for Celtic in a creative and attacking sense. He is a very tidy player when he wants to be but his ball retention and distribution remain his Achilles heel. He was also the victim of an incredible refereeing decision by the official who ruled against him when he was fouled. Go figure! The referee Irfan Peljto has form when it comes to Celtic. Hatate was eventually replaced by Paulo Bernardo after 68 minutes.  

Adam Idah over Kyogo Furuhashi in the No. 9 role was a huge call by Rodgers

By deploying Idah up top the Irishman was hoping that Celtic could mix their game up as well as try to win territory to gain a foothold in the game. The 23-year-old is better at running the channels than his strike counterpart. Rodgers explained beforehand that Idah was the solid, robust and physical type who could go toe-to-toe with the Italian rearguard. There was an onus on him to be the out ball that Celtic just didn't have against Borussia Dortmund in the Signal Iduna Park stadium on Matchday Two. He was almost played in after seven minutes after a clever flick by Engels but Marco Carnesecchi was quick off his line to mop up any danger. Idah' did a lot of powerful running and stretched Atalanta's backline whenever he could. It was a thankless task but he put in one hell of a shift before being replaced by Kyogo on 68 minutes.

The Great Dane Schmeichel living up to his name and billing

Schmeichel's professional pride would have been stung to the core when he conceded seven in Germany against Dortmund. However, the shot-stopper looked like a man on a mission in Bergamo and repelled everything Atalanta could throw at him in the first half as he saved excellently from Pasalic and then from a flashing header from  Mateo Retegui just before the interval. He also palmed a Marten de Roon effort away before the hour mark. This is the reason that Schmeichel replaced Joe Hart in between the sticks for Celtic and he exuded calmness in everything that he did. His big-game experience came to the fore and it seemed to transmit to all of those around him as the defence in turn collectively raised their games to earn Celtic a rare but superb point and clean sheet on their travels.

Auston Trusty is growing into the Celtic shirt and alongside Liam Scales - he was immense

The American international enjoyed his best game in a Celtic jersey by far. Atalanta threw countless crosses into the box but alongside Scales, it was Trusty who seemed to be able to get his head on them, especially in the first 45 minutes. The jury may still be out on the £6 million former Arsenal and Sheffield United stopper but he did his reputation no harm at all with this solid defensive showing. Trusty and Scales both stood tall as they got their bodies in the way of everything and defended as if their lives depended on it. Scales made crucial interventions in the second period and both he and Trusty just grew in confidence and stature as the game wore on. It's no mean feat to put the shackles on Retegui and Ademola Lookman but somehow the Celtic defensive duo managed it.

Engels has to contribute more to the Celtic cause at this level

The £11 million man arrived with a big reputation from Augsburg and started his Celtic career like a house on fire. The Slovan Bratislava display on Champions League Matchday One has already been consigned to the history books but the manager needs to see Engels raise his game, especially at the elite club level. Despite being deployed in a deep midfield role, there were times when more aggression was required by the Belgian international as he looked to be holding back in the challenge and almost timid at times. He was unsurprisingly replaced by Luke McCowan with 15 minutes left on the clock. Engels is still getting to grips with his new club and his surroundings and certainly has time on his side. He will be a talent for Celtic moving forward but he needs to adapt more quickly in the unforgiving environment of the Champions League. He'll get there.