The dust has settled on what was a humiliating 7-1 trouncing in the Westfalenstadion with Celtic’s perfect start to the season ending abruptly. Here’s the third of my three takeaways from my trip to Germany…

October 01 2024: Âlex Valle of Celtic FC during a Champions League Group Phase MD2 game, Borussia Dortmund vs Celtic, at Signal Luna Park, Dortmund, Germany. /CSM Dortmund Germany. Photo Ulrik Pedersen

Valle, the shining light

The Spaniard arrived into the game at half-time following a dreadful first-half performance from Greg Taylor. It is rare for Taylor to have had such a poor game considering the 26 year-old has been tremendous since Rodgers return to the club last year.

The substitution had to be made, and Valle was excellent. In fairness to Taylor, he was up against the best player on the pitch during the first half. Karim Adayemi bagged a 31 minute hat-trick but then came off three minutes inside the second half.

Life was made that bit easier for Valle, but he was still in a tough environment. Defended diligently, but also created more than a few chances with positive attacking play down the left side of the pitch.

FIRST DORTMUND TAKEAWAY…Celtic must be humble against Atalanta and drop the ego

10 2024, Borussia Dortmund vs Celtic Glasgow, UEFA Champions League, Matchday 2 Celtic’s Alex Valle thanks the fans Photo: David Inderlied

Celtic’s finest opportunity of the match came directly from Valle who used his initiative, interchanging well and then delivering a dangerous cross. Unfortunately, it was one of those nights and Idah could not bundle the ball in from close range.  Possibly meriting a first start in a Celtic jersey, Alex Valle would be unlucky not to be given the nod at Dingwall on Sunday.

Conor Spence

SECOND DORTMUND TAKEAWAY…A fundamental basic and the major Celtic failing in Dortmund