Celtic defender Alistair Johnston reckons he knows what the team needs to do to succeed in Europe.
The Canadian was part of the Hoops side that went down to Lazio on Wednesday night. It was a second successive defeat at the start of this UEFA Champions League campaign, with both losses coming after generally positive performances.
There is an understandable gloom around the Celtic support after more European disappointment. But Johnston genuinely seems to believe that the team are not far away.
He reckons it’s our performance in both boxes that will determine how we fare against the continent’s best.
“I think that there’s a lot of players out there that showed that they can play at this level, that they belonged,” he told STV in the mixed zone after the match.
“Again, it’s the Champions League. We’re not expecting to come out here and waltz it and, you know, enjoy 70% of the ball, just chance after chance. We know it’s going to be difficult.
“It’s the fine margins. So we just need to get a little more ruthless in both boxes. I think it comes down to just defending our boxes, defending set pieces and just being a little more clinical. And I think if we add just that element in both boxes, I think we can be a really top team.
“Because I think we showed, you know, in the middle third that we can play with these teams. That’s an important thing for us.”
It’s hard to disagree with Johnston’s take. Once again last night it was what happened in both boxes that decided the outcome. But isn’t that the case in virtually every football match?
Celtic are a decent European outfit. We move the ball around well in defence and midfield and we have good pace up front. We dominated Lazio in spells of the game.
Yet, it was that ruthless edge in both boxes that was missing. Johnston and Daizen Maeda both passed up decent opportunities and those are at a premium at the top level.
We had to work really hard for the goal we scored, while Lazio’s two were both soft concessions. That’s probably what Johnston is hinting at, but it has to change if we want to improve.
Next up for the team in Europe is a home game against Atletico Madrid. The visit of the Spanish giants is going to be a really tough one, but admitted honestly that we can’t afford to lose.
“Our mind is still on getting out of this group,” he said. “I still think there’s a chance, but at the same time, this next match becomes all the more important.
“We know that, everyone knows that, you lose again and the ride is probably done.
“So you really dig in now and find a way in these next two matches against Atlético to get some points on the board.”
In other news, what the Italian media are saying about Celtic vs Lazio
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