‘Could have defended better. Should have gone through,’ disappointed Celtic star

JAMES FORREST spoke about the players disappointment at losing out to AEK Athens in the 3rd Round of Qualifying for the Champions League last night.

“It was very disappointing, the way we conceded as a team,” James Forrest noted.

“We have not had many nights like this under the manager, but we have to come back from it. It’s hard because we played well for two games, yet they took their chances.

“We could have defended better as a team and we are disappointed.

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“If we’d been outclassed, it might have been easier to take, but we weren’t.

“In the first leg, they had one attack in the game and they scored from it.

“Once they went down to 10 men, we didn’t manage to kick on and get the second goal, but we still came here convinced we could do something.

“Then we conceded early and then did the same at the beginning of the second. That is the most disappointing part.

“We know that we are a good team and we know that we should have gone through. Now we just have to deal with it.

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“In the last 10 minutes, our fitness levels were better and they were struggling. We had a couple of half-chances when we could have scored, but it’s done.

“The manager tried to stay upbeat. He just said that you get punished in Europe for giving up chances and that’s what happened to us.

“We just need to make sure we stay in Europe now. We have to get into the Europa League, at least.”

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

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