Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou cut a very frustrated figure after the second successive loss to Bodo/Glimt, with the Hoops now definitively out of Europe.
The UEFA Europa Conference League offered a safety net for Celtic, after not quite making it through a tough Europa League group. However, Celtic looked nervous, sheepish even, against the Norwegian champions both home and away.
Speaking to Celtic’s in-house media directly after the game, Ange Postecoglou didn’t mince his words as he reviewed the game against Bodo/Glimt. In a freezing Arctic Circle, the Bhoys just couldn’t get going, barring a 10 minute spell after half-time.
Postecoglou said [Celtic FC]: “The thing you take in, is that if you don’t perform at the levels we have been, you won’t be successful.
“From my perspective, they were the two least effective performances we’ve had in Europe this year. I guess when you are at that level, you don’t get the opportunity to progress. So we’ve got to make sure we improve.
“Look, I think when you look at our European campaign, ultimately we haven’t succeeded. That’s the bottom line, irrespective of progress or improvement or learning. This football club should be making an impact in Europe, and it’s my job to make sure we do.”
Ange Postecoglou takes responsibility after a deflating night for Celtic
This, to me, is what a Celtic manager should sound like.
No excuses. Nothing about how we can focus elsewhere. No “it’s all about the league” chat. Ange Postecoglou knows that Celtic are too big of a footballing institution to have had the repeated failures in Europe that we’ve seen over the last decade.
Because the team weren’t good enough. They weren’t effective in any area of the pitch. The passing was slack, individual performances left so much to be desired, and Bodo/Glimt looked comfortable.
This was worlds away from heroic defeat against Bayer Leverkusen. Or even, when a second-string Celtic side put Real Betis away at Parkhead. Let alone the two victories over Ferencvaros. Celtic were nowhere near those levels, and that’s got to be considered a disappointment.
So, a frank admission that this performance, and both performances weren’t good enough is welcome from the Celtic manager. He wants to win every game.
He’s the Celtic manager, he should.
Read more: Video: Travelling Celtic supporters get behind the team in harsh conditions; fantastic footage
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