The fallout of Celtic’s draw with Kairat Almaty is set to continue right through until the second-leg kick-off in Kazakhstan next Tuesday.
Celtic huffed and puffed for over 100 minutes against the Kazakhstan champions but struggled to break down a well-organised defensive unit.
The lack of creativity in the Celtic frontline was clear for everyone to see and it seems the lack of transfer business made by the club could cost the Hoops a place in the Champions League proper.
And the Celtic fans let everyone at the club know it at full-time.
And as Brendan Rodgers diverted attention away from Celtic fans chanting ‘sack the board’, Hoops captain Callum McGregor sent a message to the booing Parkhead crowd.
Callum McGregor sets Celtic ‘expectation’ for Kairat Almaty second leg
The Celtic captain looked despondent at full-time and was asked why he thought the fans reacted how they did at the end of the 100-minute match.
McGregor said on BBC Sport Scotland, “It’s expectation. Everybody expects us to be in the Champions League, and that’s because of how well we have performed.
“So with good performances come expectation, and when you drop below that, then people have the right to ask questions, and we have the right to ask questions of ourselves
“But it’s only us that can change it. It’s only us that can put ourselves into the Champions League again. So we have, like I said, with a tie shootout, we have to go there. We have to win. And I believe that this squad is good enough to do that.”
Callum McGregor’s message to the booing fans inside Celtic Park
McGregor was then asked about the boos that rained down from the Celtic Park stands and with that, he sent a rallying call to the supporters.
McGregor continued, “Yeah, you can hear it, obviously, but what I will say is it’s time to stick together. We have to be in unison. We all have to be together and everybody has to do the job. Everybody’s accountable.
“Everyone’s accountable at the club, but we have to stick together. You know, we’ve had a really good start to the season.
“Yes, tonight didn’t go to plan. But, we still have another tie to get through.”
Fan frustration has been building all summer and last night was clearly a tipping point for many Celtic supporters.
If the club were as good at spending money as they are at asking Celtic fans for it this summer then maybe Brendan Rodgers, Callum McGregor and the Parkhead board wouldn’t have found themselves in this situation.
Let’s hope the Celtic board are listening because the message from the fans is loud and clear.
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