Former Celtic winger Paul Slane has let rip at Celtic for their European collapse against Copenhagen.
The ex-footballer, turned Scottish football personality, was speaking with Si Ferry and Kevin Kyle on this week’s Open Goal Keeping the Ball on the Ground Podcast. (YouTube)
Slane, who featured just once in a three year stint in Glasgow, took aim at the Hoops for their recent European record while also praising their domestic dominance.
“On the Copenhagen game, not acceptable,” he started.
“Not acceptable. Listen, domestically – amazing. I’ll sit here and I’ll praise them all day. It’s absolutely amazing and one of the best the club has ever done.
“But the last five years in Europe hasn’t been good enough. Parkhead is no longer a fortress.
“At the start of the season they draw with Cluj away, getting an away goal, and come back at Celtic Park and get beaten.
“Same again last week. And I tell you, see before the draw was made, if I could’ve looked at all the balls I’d have picked Copenhagen as the team to play against.”
Slane is right to want more from Celtic
It’s hard to argue with too much the former Motherwell man says.
Parkhead is no longer a fortress in the European stage. But you could’ve said that for a good decade or so now.
If anything Neil Lennon has improved our home form in Europe.
It’s easy to remember the costly defeats to Cluj and Copenhagen, but he did win the other six home clashes this season – including against the likes of Rennes and Lazio.
Celtic’s European exit was pretty brutal and questions do need asked. But there are also plenty of positives to be taken from the way we played in the Europa League this season – with next year in mind.
This Celtic side proved in the group stage that they can excel at this level.
Now we need to show it when it really matters – in knockout clashes.
What did you make of our European campaign as a whole this season? Reply below and join our brand new fans discussion forum…
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