Chris Sutton has had a real go at theRangers for their inferiority complex in the Champions League which has resulted in three hammerings, losing all four games and conceding 16 goals and scoring just once. We’ll not worry too much aboout that and follow Celtic manager’s Ange Postecoglou’s lead and just concetrate on Celtic’s Champions League campaign.
Writing in his Satuturday morning column in Daily Record, Sutton spends most of his time dishing out a second hammering of the week to James Tavernier and his hapless teammates but also reflected on what is a vastly different approach to and mindset in the Champions League at his old club.
“I’ve never seen Ange Postecoglou look so crestfallen as he did after losing to Leipzig. It was another defeat and we can debate about the way he sends his team out to play in these matches,” Sutton wrote. “I get that and I’ve said previously he should be commended for being positive. But he didn’t come out and say the Champions League was a bonus. He said he wants to compete.
“I also agree with him in that I don’t think Celtic are actually too far off from doing so. Postecoglou seems determined to compete – and on his own terms. There are some Celtic fans who think the brand of football is a bit idealistic.
“This campaign has been all about missed chances for Celtic. The stattos can go on about expected goals but you can see with your own eyes. It’s not xG – it’s missing sitters. Celtic had 50-odd shots on goal and passed up half a dozen incredible opportunities across the four games and those are the margins at this level. it’s also why I agree Celtic are not a million miles away. Unlike van Bronckhorst, that is a positive message for his players,” Sutton continued.
The former Celtic striker also noted that the Celtic front players are perhaps suffering from a loss of confidence due to their Champions League goalscoring woes but has been involved in football long enough to know that these thing can change quickly and when things click back into gear some unfortunate opponent is going to get a battering.
“No doubt, there is a lack of cutting edge to Postecoglou’s side right now at home and in Europe. They are not quite firing in front of goal. Dazien Maeda seems to have lost a bit of confidence, it’s not coming off for Kyogo at present and Liel Abada has gone off the boil a bit.
“They are a bit too nice at times – like the other night when Giorgos Giakoumakis was tugged in the box and should have been screaming for a penalty and demanding a VAR check. Yet there’s still a feeling someone is in for a battering from them at some point, regardless of the injury issues,” Chris Sutton noted.
How many of these 50 odd attempts were on target,less than 10,which is abysmal and how many chances did Madrid,Leipzig and shacktar create,a lot more with far more on target,we are a million miles away from champions league quality and would still struggle in the europa league.these teams look fitter,stronger and better organised than us.