Callum McGregor fronts up with honest admission on Celtic’s Dortmund disaster

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It was a Tuesday night to forget for Celtic in the Champions League after being humbled by Borussia Dortmund.

Nuri Sahin’s side beat the Bhoys by a massive 7-1 margin, leaving Brendan Rodgers’ outfit bruised and embarrassed after projecting so much hope in the build-up.

Preventable individual errors contributed to the heavy defeat. Sloppy passing and poor positioning allowed Dortmund to rip through the Scottish champions repeatedly.

It was difficult for supporters, players, and staff to take.

After the match, captain Callum McGregor’s disappointment was clear. He didn’t shy away from Celtic’s failings, admitting his side were ‘rattled’ on the pitch.

Callum McGregor on Celtic’s Champions League reality check

The midfielder told TNT Sports: “A sore one, for sure. We were punished with every mistake we made. Before we knew it, we were 5-1 down. A sobering night.

“If you make mistakes like that, you get punished. Credit to Dortmund. We’ve been sobered a little, but we need to take that and bounce back in the next game.

“You get yourself back into the game. The quick goal killed us and rattled us a little bit. When you give good players time on the ball, they will kill you. And that’s what they did.

“I think the game plan was to be in between the two. We understand when you play against good players, you have to suffer a little without the ball. We have to learn from it. We’ve got a lot to think about after that.”

Celtic must regroup after Dortmund battering

The 7-1 result is up there with the worst Celtic have experienced in the Champions League, reminiscent of previous defeats against Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

This isn’t entirely new territory for the club, which makes it all the more frustrating. The ‘learning’ never seems to come.

Nonetheless, McGregor’s role will be important in the coming days and weeks. A result like this really knocks confidence, but he must help hold the group together with more big challenges coming at home and abroad.

There’s plenty left in the Champions League for Celtic, and even though another daunting away trip to Atalanta is next, the Bhoys must stay focused on their achievable aim of progressing into the top 24 playoff.