The morning after the nightmare before for the Celtic supporters.
Celtic went into their Champions League showdown with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night full of confidence, goals and a burning desire to get even better.
You couldn’t blame the players for being in that frame of mind because they were on cloud nine regarding their performances this season.
From Celtic’s thumping Champions League opening win to hitting St Johnstone for six in Perth over the weekend, a lot of things were going right.
Yet, it was the same old problems for Brendan Rodgers in Europe because Celtic suffered yet another heavy defeat, this time conceding seven at the Signal Iduna Park and it could have been a lot worse.
A fair few fans will now be thinking the worst, feeling that nothing will change and the team will inevitably get booted out of the Champions League by the time the eight games are done.
But Jamie Carragher wanted to share some optimism for the Bhoys, despite the current mood and he pointed towards the Champions League’s revamped format.
The former Liverpool defender pointed out that Celtic have had ‘really big defeats’ when they have previously played the ‘top teams’ of Europe – Dortmund reached the final last season.
But now, with this new format, and amid Dortmund scoring seven, they still have a ‘fighting chance’ of qualification.
Carragher feels they can get ‘another win or two’ because they will face teams more on their wavelength, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (01/10/24 at 10:45 pm).
Celtic lose 7-1 to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League
“Celtic, over the last few years, when they have played the top teams, they have had really big defeats,” said Carragher.
“I think Brendan Rodgers said before the game to Peter Schmeichel that they are basically going to play a few teams at their own level. Bratislava might be classed as their level. They ended up beating them 5-1.
“For the smaller teams (re change in format), just to give them a chance to win a game. Celtic are proof of that. Over the next five or six weeks, I am sure Celtic will be feeling can we get another win or two on the board, it maybe gives them a fighting chance to get into the qualifying grounds.”
Two games, one win for Celtic
Three points after the opening two matches is very much fine, it’s just the manner of defeat in Dortmund that has shaken up the room.
From Young Boys to a final day trip to Aston Villa, there is still a long way to go and a lot more points can be picked up.
READ MORE: Chris Sutton’s instant reaction as Celtic suffer a Champions League nightmare vs Dortmund
And all Celtic have to do is put themselves in a position where they reach the play-offs, and then let the rest take care of itself.
The quicker Rodgers can pick up the players from this, the better because it will just filter through to the strong domestic form, otherwise.
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