Celtic’s Europa League defeat to Braga was yet another unwanted episode to their season.
After back-to-back wins against Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle, it felt as though things were on the up for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
But a week of no goals from two home matches has brought fans right back down to earth, and the team sits on one point after two Europa League matches.
Several Celtic players disappointed with their performances in the surprise defeat, which was also marred by an extraordinary refereeing decision to disallow a Kelechi Iheanacho equaliser.
But one former Hoops favourite has laid into the side’s performance, using one particularly damning word.
Joe Hart on Celtic’s performance vs Braga
Joe Hart knows what it means to play for Celtic in Europe in the modern era – he has seen both the good and the bad.
Since moving into punditry, he has tended to be a ray of positivity when it comes to anything Celtic-related.
WATCH: Celtic 0-2 Braga reaction…
Speaking on TNT Sports’ broadcast of the match, Hart was blunt in his assessment of the defeat, which came as a surprise to many in Europe.
Asked how he would sum up the Hoops’ performance, he bluntly replied with one word: “Lost.”
He added: “First half, no real energy, they didn’t quite know how they were going to approach this game. It somewhat mirrored the crowd.
“But like I said, you’ve got to be able to rise above that, whatever’s going on behind the scenes, you’ve got a job to do.
“Celtic are at their best when they’re on the front foot. Actually, second half, I enjoyed their performance to start with. First 20 minutes, on the front foot, Carter-Vickers and Scales were not often 50 yards away from the opposition goal.
“But with that comes risk, and Braga finally established and felt comfortable in their low block. They got through a few times and Celtic were hanging on, and the second goal killed them.”
Celtic’s upcoming domestic matches
The Hoops’ next league outing comes on Sunday against Motherwell at Celtic Park.
It’s undoubtedly a game that they should be winning, but Motherwell are unbeaten under new boss Jens Askou who has taken the league by storm.
After the international break, it’s a trip to Dens Park to face Dundee, who are on an unbelievably long winless run against the Hoops.
After those two game is a showdown match at Tynecastle against current league leaders Hearts. Hopefully the team are in a better position by then.
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