‘The Celtic players disappointed the greatest support in the world by a performance which, in European terms, was a disgrace,’ David Potter

Oh, why does it always have to be like this? Why are we always using phrases like “naive defending” and “sloppy play” to explain away the loss of elementary goals?

Why is there such a huge gulf between our performances at home and performances away from home?

And why do we ALWAYS press the self-destruction button?

That is bad enough, but more importantly we have to question whether Celtic really have any conviction or belief in their own abilities. There seems to be no reason we could not carry over last week’s great performance to this week.

But we let ourselves down badly.

The defence will be deservedly pilloried and fingers deservedly pointed at the culprits, but questions have also to be asked about the forwards who frankly seemed to lack any sort of penetration.

Even in the second half, when we mounted some kind of pressure, there was never any feeling that we were going to score. Shots were weak and wide, and far too often the Zenit defence managed to get their bodies in the way.

And now Brendan Rodgers has a case to answer, as the sheer folly of Sunday’s team selection against St Johnstone is now seen to be a clear failure.

One would have shrugged off a bad result on Sunday if we had won tonight, but we have now imperiled our League challenge as well. The support have many questions to pose to last year’s heroic manager.

Brendan must now rise to the challenge, for make no mistake about it, if we lose at Pittodrie on Sunday, we are in real trouble.

He was definitely guilty of one clear misjudgement when he took off James Forrest, the one forward player who looked as if he might just get a goal. And I was horrified to hear him say that he thought Dembele had a good game. Quite a few of us beg to differ, I feel!

Some players are needing the proverbial long hard look at themselves.

Lustig, one hates to admit it, is probably finished at least at this level.

Ajer and Tierney still have youth on their side, but Simunovic is still far too inconsistent.

Ntcham and McGregor have done far better in the past, but without Griffiths, there is a distinct lack of fire power up front.

And I think I would like to see Bain getting a chance in the goal on Sunday. To an extent, we can talk about the ball moving in the air, but poor Dorus de Vries was nowhere near that second goal – and that was probably the vital moment of the game.

Zenit were compact and well organised, but they are probably not the 2018 Europa League winners.

The referee was an eccentric, loud mouthed, arrogant sort of chap who maybe should have used his red card on the half-time whistle, but the fault tonight lies with the Celtic players who have disappointed the greatest support in the world by a performance which, in European terms, was a disgrace but one which is sadly so typical (and predictable) of Celtic in Europe.

Why does it have to be like this?

We now have 14 games left, 11 SPFL and 3 (potentially) in the Scottish Cup. The domestic treble is still on, but it is not difficult to imagine the supporters of Aberdeen and Rangers rubbing their hands in glee at that feckless display tonight.

Celtic must now take this on the chin, and fight back. The players owe us that, at least.

David Potter for The Celtic Star

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

4 Comments

    • I’m sure you’ve heard it all before but we really didn’t have a doubt?

      Yeah, we did, the performance was predictable as it was disappointing.

      Like a hedgehog trying to cross a motorway.

  1. For me, the fact we proved that we can compete at this level last week makes this display harder to take. Three Zenit goals were gifted but need to look within at the defence and goalkeeper. Are they up to this level? Or the Champions League? Evidence suggests not.

    Injuries haven’t helped – Hayes, Gordon, Compper, Roberts, Armstrong, Boyata & Griffiths all injured.

    • I agree with Rodgers. You defend from the front. Last week we squeezed the space and them. Tonight we were asleep at the wheel. Lack consistancy and belief at this level.