Callum McGregor has issued an apology to travelling Celtic support

Celtic skipper Callum McGregor has issued an apology to the Celtic travelling support following the 7-1 defeat at the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday evening…

Around 4000 Celtic supporters made the trip to Germany for what was anticipated to be a huge occasion for the players and a possible turning point for the Hoops away from home in the Champions League against a strong opponent.

However, it was more of the same and the captain has refused to run away from criticism that the players have received from all quarters since the full-time whistle was blown.

The supporters are becoming tired of listening to the same words being wheeled out after every Champions League away day disaster. It is actions we want to see on the pitch. Crucially, lessons have not been learned. Responsibility lies at the manager for consistently setting his side up to be humiliated against top teams. Players should also shoulder blame. They have underperformed on the continent, again. If Brendan is not going to change the style of play in Europe, then how else will he prevent the yearly embarrassments?

McGregor, who is no stranger to a heavy European defeat, has taken responsibility for the dismal display on show.

Speaking to Football Scotland, the 31 year-old said, “we can only apologise to the fans because when you play for Celtic, and get beat 7-1, it is not good enough. Credit to them for sticking with us, and we thank them for that. We know that can’t happen again. I hate standing here making excuses when you lose heavily like that, but I have to say a word about the supporters because all credit to them as they stuck with the team, and that is a compliment to how well the team is playing and how well the season started.”

McGregor continued, “everybody will have a pop and that is what happens when you play for Celtic. I hate trying to make excuses when you get beat 7-1 because it is not acceptable. There are still positives because the season has started really well, and in the game against Slovan, we were excellent. It shows you what the level is like when you don’t quite play to it, and they have a good night.”

He added, “we came and wanted to be aggressive in the game, but we have been humbled a bit. We need to bring a better level of game than we did against Dortmund. We also need to learn that when the game starts to get away from you, can we shut up shop a bit and steady the flow of the game for five minutes? It is not all doom and gloom, but there are no excuses when you lose 7-1.”

Conor Spence