Celtic captain Callum McGregor lamented the “same old story” for the Bhoys in Europe on Tuesday night after succumbing to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Lazio.
Ciro Immobile struck twice in the 82nd and 85th minutes after Celtic were competitive for a large chunk of the encounter, enjoying strong possession and territory.
Ultimately, the team failed to win again and now have the unenviable record of 15 games without a victory in the Champions League.
Celtic are also now out of Europe completely this season, with even a parachute into the UEFA Europa League impossible despite a game remaining in Group E.
Callum McGregor on Celtic defeat to Lazio
After the match, McGregor told Celtic TV: “Yeah, I’m gutted. It’s a little bit of the same old story. You play well, don’t take your chances and then you get hit with the sucker punch. The second one kills the game.
“Listen, it’s tough to take because I think everyone can see we’re well in the game, controlling the game, the flow and the tempo. To be honest, at some point, we have to try and win that – you open up a little bit and you get done with good quality. We’ve been saying this all the way through the competition. You’re playing against top players.
“We were gaining confidence, growing, getting chances and it’s kind of been the story of the campaign, a little bit. It’s fine, fine margins. You need to get in front and have a bit of physicality at this level as well. We do well for 60-65 minutes but when the game opens up or the game gets a little bit difficult we need to get to grips with the game and regain control again.
“In the main, when we’re on top we have to take the chances and impose ourselves on the game a little bit more. That’s what teams at this level do to you, they get their chance and they score – you saw that again tonight.”
It’ll be hard for Celtic supporters to take much comfort from McGregor’s comments, even if they are deemed accurate.
Many of this group have had a fair bit of experience at the elite level over the last few years and despite lots of talk about learning lessons, there’s little evidence of it.
Most frustratingly, it’s the same repeated patterns we keep seeing in Europe, as the captain alludes to. There’s little sign of Celtic being able to push through any mental barriers or consistently find that quality in the final third. Flashes of it, sure. But anything approaching consistency? Nothing.
Celtic fans crave European joy, from time to time, despite all of the factors we are aware of – financial gulfs, quality opponents and fine margins. The club have to find a way to best use their resources to that end. Right now, the same old story is a tired and deflating one.
In other news, The repeating message from Brendan Rodgers as Celtic boss reacts to Lazio defeat and European exit.
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