Well, we knew when Celtic faced Real Betis tonight, it’d be a significant ask for Ange Postecoglou’s team.
After two rapid-fire goals from the Bhoys, the inevitable seemed to happen. Betis responded in ruthlessly efficient fashion, led by the experience of 40-year-old Joaquin.
With a threadbare squad heading to Seville, Ange Postecoglou had hoped to use history and exorcise two demons. One would be a first win in Spain in continental competition for Celtic. The other to, of course, win in Seville, 18 years after the UEFA Cup Final.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to be the case tonight.
Following a pattern all too reminiscent of last year’s Europa League meetings with Lille and AC Milan, the Bhoys built up a 2-0 lead, only to squander it with a combination of bad luck and some excellent passing from Betis.
Then, a shell-shocked Celtic emerged from half-time sloppy, anxious and ultimately, beaten.
So, what did we learn from another humbling night in Seville?
Celtic looked lost without Callum McGregor against Betis
Joe Hart was a perfectly valid choice of captain in Callum McGregor’s absence. That’s not really in doubt. What’s clear, though, is Celtic’s reliance on Callum McGregor.
Although the first half brought some nice phases of play between Soro, Turnbull and Rogic, there just wasn’t enough defensively. The midfield trio didn’t have enough about them out of possession, failing to cover wide positions, and putting pressure on Juranovic and Ralston.
With Callum McGregor, it might not have been a different game, but certainly his leadership from the middle and ability to organise on the pitch would certainly have helped.
Ismaila Soro was hamstrung by a needless early booking, could’ve been sent off, and just looked miles off throughout. Barring a couple of decent interceptions, the Ivorian was ineffective in the extreme for Celtic tonight.
It’s very, very worrying how reliant Celtic are on their captain. With McCarthy and Soro the next-best options, a midfield general to partner McGregor has to be a priority.
Ange Postecoglou has a job on his hands to keep Celtic tight after building a lead
Not to doubt the manager or the players, but I wouldn’t have been alone in getting a creeping feeling of dread when we went 2-0 up.
It seemed to galvanise the crowd at the Benito Villamarin, and Betis themselves. The Andalusians went on the front foot, and Celtic, for whatever reason, struggled to contain them.
Certainly, there was some luck in Betis’ first goal, through Juan Miranda. However, it came from what should’ve been a straight-forward clearance that wasn’t made.
There still seems to be a hangover from the Lennon era. Against AC Milan and Lille, Celtic developed leads only to squander them. A lack of concentration hurt Celtic, and Betis were allowed to score a second, after just four decisive passes.
The third and fourth followed similar patterns. It’s going to be a significant job for Ange Postecoglou to restore the confidence of these players. Holding on to the leads we get has to be paramount, yet Celtic seem to crumble when they’re in the ascendency.
How do you fix that? Unfortunately, there’s no real way to do it, apart from winning games.
Albian Ajeti, at least, seems to show renewed confidence for Celtic against Betis
Some positives: you can’t really fault the front three. Least of all, Albian Ajeti.
The Swiss striker looked confident, determined and energetic, scoring the first and winning the penalty for the second. And although he just couldn’t get the same delivery in the second half, it’s heartening to know that in Kyogo’s absence, we have something of an in-form striker.
There’ll have been plenty of doubts about Ajeti following a disappointing first season with the club. Nonetheless, he’s remained at the club over a period of flux, and is justifying himself.
Tidy in the pass [FotMob], Ajeti has shown over the last two games just how useful he can be.
Not the all-action centre-forward that Kyogo is, nor is he as skilled at holding the ball up as Edouard, Ajeti at least has a niche. He’s great at getting into scoring positions, and while he doesn’t create his own opportunities as such, he doesn’t necessarily need to.
Domestically, at least, there were signs tonight that could bode well for the future. Less challenging teams will be exploited by the pace of wingers like Abada, Jota, Montgomery and Forrest, and if Ajeti is there to poach, then that works just fine.
He’ll be disappointed to have ended up on the losing side tonight. His performance didn’t deserve it.
Read more: Ange Postecoglou explains the Joe Hart Celtic captaincy decision
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