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Another Champions League campaign sees Celtic limp meekly out of Europe’s top competition for the second season in a row.
The 6-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid just sums up Celtic’s recent history in the Champions League and whilst the post-mortem will no doubt begin after the final group game has been concluded, here TBR Celtic look at five huge mistakes that in our opinion have cost Celtic in the competition.
Joe Hart’s Celtic wall vs Feyenoord
At a time when Celtic were looking comfortable and were actually competing with the Dutch champions, Feyenoord were awarded a free-kick almost 30 yards from Hart’s goal.
The wall was organised and Hart positioned himself for what should have been a routine save. However, the wall failed to do its job and the Hoops ‘keeper was left sprawling and Feyenoord went 1-0 up.
Some people say Hart’s positioning was at fault but, for me and Martin O’Neill, the wall was to blame for not standing up to it.
Odin Thaigo Holm & Gustaf Lagerbielke’s Celtic red cards vs Feyenoord
Both are silly but for two completely different reasons. Let’s start with Holm. A rash challenge with Celtic 1-0 down after being on the pitch for less than ten minutes sent the Hoops down to nine men and effectively ended the game as a contest.
The 20-year-old’s rush of blood to the head and a mistimed tackle earned him a straight red and a suspension from Celtic’s next match against Lazio.
For Lagerbielke, there could be some sympathy for him. His second yellow was harsh but it was the Swede’s decision to lunge in that earned him his first booking that ended up costing Celtic dearly.
Brendan Rodgers’ huge Celtic mistake vs Lazio
The game was in the balance at 1-1 and Celtic were in the ascendency. The Celtic manager went to make his usual substitutions midway through the second half when he opted to bring on Cameron Carter-Vickers for Nat Phillips.
Phillips looked surprised as he was enjoying a decent game. But the surprising thing for me was Rodgers deciding to bring on the US defender for his first game back after a lengthy injury lay off.
The move backfired as Carter-Vickers slipped in the final minute to allow Lazio to break away and score a sickening last-minute winner to compound Celtic to another defeat.
Joe Hart’s goalkeeping for Atletico’s first goal vs Celtic
I spoke briefly about this yesterday after England legend, Stuart Pearce, actually praised Joe Hart for his performance against Atletico.
But what I couldn’t fathom is why he didn’t mention the Celtic keeper being at fault for the first goal that gave Celtic a mountain to climb.
Six minutes in and Celtic were looking good value. That was until a mistimed punch by Hart allowed the Spanish side to regain possession and a fluffed Callum McGregor headed clearance from a cross nicely teed up Antoine Griezemann to fire home a deflected opener.
Callum McGregor should have spoken to Maeda prior to his Celtic red card
This one, maybe I am being harsh, but Daizen Maeda had been flying around the pitch and was involved in three challenges prior to his red card.
Clearly, the Japanese winger was keen to keep Atletico at bay but I think the Celtic captain should have maybe had a wee word in his ear to tell him to cool his heels.
As it was, Maeda was ordered off and Celtic’s Champions League flame started to flicker to an end.
Hopefully, the Scottish Premiership champions will learn from these errors to try and beat Lazio and Feyenoord in the final two games to reach the Europa League stages.
In other news, What Atletico defender Jose Gimenez did in Celtic dressing room after Tuesday’s game