Celtic star Greg Taylor has called on his teammates to show that they belong alongside European football’s elite after last night’s 3-1 loss to RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
The 24-year-old has been one of the standouts of Celtic’s season so far, and was his typically composed self on a night when Celtic fell victim to individual errors but also yet more errant finishing in European football’s premier club competition.
Taylor was powerless to prevent any of Leipzig’s three goals on the night, with Marco Rose’s side having a further two chopped off for marginal offsides by VAR.
Speaking to the Celtic website after last night’s game, he said: “In the first-half half we were right in the game with some big chances, then we lose a goal from a counter-attack from a corner, okay it happens.
“We were building momentum and Kyogo has a header and it’s a good save from the keeper but that can happen, you can get countered at the best level of world football.
‘We were right in the game and get a goal back, a great goal by Jota, and that’s the disappointing part that we were right in that game.”
Taylor was quick to rebuke any suggestion that Celtic can feel sorry for themselves after last night’s defeat, and called for a step-up in performance for next week’s return fixture.
“It’s easy to come out here and say we were disappointed but it’s not good enough, we need to show we belong at this level because the club does,” he said.
“We’re a good team and we need to show that we can play. At points in the game, we did it but we need to do it for longer.
“In football, you can’t dwell on these things and we have a game on Saturday that we need to show a reaction to and go out and play our football to a high level and get the result. Hopefully when we’ve done that Tuesday will take care of itself and we’ll be bigger and better.”
If any of Celtic’s squad were unaware of the rigours of Champions League football, they’ll be well aware now, as the Hoops have been ruthlessly punished for not taking their chances over their three group stage matches so far.
Though a loss or draw would not make Celtic’s qualification from Group F mathematically impossible, revenge over Leipzig would go a long way to reigniting their push for the Champions League knockout stages.
With another home fixture to come against Shakhtar Donetsk, the Hoops need not be too downbeat after last night’s defeat, but improved performances, as well as results, are a must, if Celtic are to make this Champions League campaign one to remember with qualification from the group stage for the first time in ten seasons.
In other news: “No relevance to us”; Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou bats away media’s daft Rangers question
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
