Defeat in Madrid on Wednesday created some unwanted history for Celtic in the UEFA Champions League. However, supporters will be looking at the bigger picture of this campaign.
The Bhoys rounded out their effort in Europe for the 2022/23 season, losing 5-1 away from home against the current European champions.
Ultimately, the group stage will be seen as a disappointment as Ange Postecoglou failed to pick up a victory from their six games.
In the fixtures against Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk, Ange Postecoglou’s side scored just two points, with both their draws coming against the Ukrainian team.
After failing to secure a victory or even another draw, the Hoops created some unwanted club history in the UEFA Champions League this season, scoring their lowest points tally since our first group-stage involvement in 2001/02.
Following a five-year absence from the competition, Postecoglou and his players couldn’t better the efforts of ex-boss Brendan Rodgers, who picked up three points in his two attempts.
Despite coming away with a disappointing points tally and nothing to show for it, such as European football after Christmas, I think it would be fair to say that supporters are still optimistic due to our performances against the top club sides.
Celtic supporters will be looking at the bigger picture in assessment of European campaign.
Despite the fact we finished rock-bottom of the group, and that was due to no fault other than our own, some would probably argue that this has been one of our most positive European campaigns in recent years across the different competitions.
Of course, Postecoglou and his players should take criticism for their failure to take advantage of those displays. But, at the same time, it could prove to be a huge learning curve for this squad.
Although we suffered a heavy defeat in Madrid yesterday evening, it didn’t have the same feeling as our previous European hammerings. In fact, it is fair to say that some of the goals Celtic conceded were unfortunate, particularly the penalty calls.
I’m sure Celtic supporters will all be able to recall some of the recent thrashings we have taken from the likes of PSG or Barcelona. In those games, we never once looked like competing.
However, this campaign, Ange Postecoglou and his squad have competed with every opposition and received plenty of praise for the way they went about each game.
Although that means very little in comparison to achieving success under the 57-year-old in Europe, it is the first step in the right direction towards that.
This season will prove to be a huge learning curve for the squad, and hopefully, we get to see them compete at this level once again if we return to the competition next season.
What Postecoglou has proven is that his system is capable of performing in Europe. The question of whether we can get results is still to be answered, and we will have to wait and see in that regard.
However, from a personal point of view, I believe we can see the progress being made, and the players will come back more prepared for the Champions League the second time around.
It might go down in the record books as our worst-ever performance in terms of points tally in the group stages. But I think most Celtic fans would agree there are positives to take from this.
The most important thing we must do now is bounce back stronger; because if we cannot do that, then this season in Europe will prove to be a failure.
And Ange Postecoglou knows that. He isn’t naive enough to think it will simply be a case of turning up, and we’ll be better next time. There is still plenty move learning to do from here.
For now, our focus from this competition switches away as we aim to make sure we are back here in 12 months’ time by lifting the Scottish Premiership title.
In other news, “Unbelievable”; Celtic star sends classy message to travelling UCL support.
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