Celtic 0 Bayer Leverkusen 4 – “It wasn’t anything like as bad as is looks,” David Potter

0-4 at home is not a pretty score line, yet the point that must be emphasised is that this score line gives a slightly false picture. It wasn’t anything like as bad as is looks, and there were many good things on view last night.

It did however show quote brutally how moments of slackness are punished by top European teams, and how when you are on top, you really must take all your chances. Football can be a cruel game sometimes, and Celtic supporters are entitled to feel hurt this morning.

In the main, there were two good things for Celtic. One was the atmosphere. It must be a matter of some puzzlement to European TV commentators how it is that a club which can engender such an atmosphere, excitement and noise can get such poor results at European level. There are few nights like a European night at Celtic Park… but why such consistently poor results?

The other good thing was the effort and commitment of the team. The players clearly thrived on the atmosphere, and no-one can be complained about for not trying. Mistakes were made, but no-one “had his head in the wrong place” as was obviously the case last season. And odd, though it it to say in the wake of a 0-4 defeat, the team played well. But sadly Bayer Leverkusen played better.

It was nice to see McGregor and Kyogu back. I suspect that neither were 100% fit, but they nevertheless added something to the team. Kyogu sadly was not 100% MATCH fit, otherwise he would have put away that early chance, and McGregor was taken off early, obviously to keep him for Sunday.

Tony Ralston in some ways typifies this Celtic team. No lack of effort and no attempt to hide when things go wrong, but sadly error prone with too many goals coming from his zone. But that tackle late in the second half on front of the North Stand was a full blooded demonstration of his determination, even though he injured himself in the process. Once he learns some game management skills, he will be a first class defender.

Much criticism comes the way of Turnbull and Rogic. Turnbull is certainly going through a bad spell at the moment, but he is a good player and will come through it, and Rogic, at long last getting a run in the team from his fellow Aussie as distinct from appearances as a substitute, is possibly due a rest – but only for one game, because the talent is definitely there.

And there is such a thing as luck, It is all very easy to talk about “making your own luck” but there are times when you simply need a break. We hit the bar three times on Sunday and had about half a dozen close things (or brilliant goalkeeper saves) last night. Some time our luck has to change.

So where stand Celtic his morning? Nothing that happened last night alters the fact that Celtic must win on Sunday at Pittodrie to keep themselves in contention for the title. It will be a different game from last night, and we really must take our chances, and have the defenders all detailed to prevent the loss of goals. We really have to win. A draw is of little value. Aberdeen are in a poorer position than us, and they are even more desperate for a win.

As far as Europe is concerned, as I understand it, third place in the group gives us a place in a play-off for the European Conference League. That would appear to be the iimit of our ambition in Europe. It is hard to see us even coming second now.

In spite of all the positives mentioned above, still a somewhat depressing experience. But no time to wallow in self-pity. Aberdeen on Sunday is now of crucial importance. The crowd remained cheerful, upbeat and supportive throughout. Give them something to cheer about, Celtic!

David Potter

 Keep up to date on Twitter @HarryHoodBook