2022-10-11: Celtic 0-2 RB Leipzig, European Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2022 – 2023

Trivia

KO: 20:00 Tuesday; European Cup / Champions League Match day 4; BT Sports
Callum McGregor out injured.
Madrid drew with Shaktar so Celtic remain bottom of the group and are out of Champions League knock out qualification and hanging by their finger nails for Europa League qualification.
Celtic become first side in Champions league history to lose 7 home games in a row! Scotland close to dropping below Austria and Belgium in the co-efficient rankings following European defeats.
Sevco lose 7-1 at Ibrox to Liverpool (Champs Lge)! Hearts got beat 5-1 v Fiorentina (Conf Lge).
James Forrest comes off the bench to make his 450th #CelticFC appearance!
Konrad Leimer picked up an ankle injury in their 3-0 win v Borussia Dortmund, so out of the two games.
Jota out due to injury fatigue.
Celtic have been fined £13,169 for the anti-monarchy banner displayed at their away #UCL match against Shakhtar Donetsk last month. UEFA deemed the message “not fit for a sports event”. Celtic also been fined £3,731 for pyro in the stands in their opener against Real Madrid
A period of silence held prior to the kick-off and the players wear black armbands during the game, in memory of the 10 people who tragically lost their lives in Creeslough, County Donegal on Friday past. RIP. Devoted carer and Celtic fan Martin McGill was one of those who died in the tragedy, RIP.
Reports: Crystal Palace eyeing Matt O’Riley, with their top scout Dougie Freedman watching him.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk says the “immense pressure” to win each week during his two years with Celtic helped shape his mentality.
Women’s football: FAI apologised after footage emerged of Ireland players singing pro-IRA songs in the aftermath of their qualification in Glasgow over Scotland for the Women’s World Cup. A video circulated on social media of the team,celebrating in their Hampden Park dressing room after the game, singing “Ooh ah, up the ‘RA”.
Celtic Womens Team: double cup winning star Sarah Teegarden / Harkes has retired from football. Wish her all the best.
Conor Hazard: Celtic loanee helped secure league title success for HJK Helsinki in Finland, their fifth league title in last six years.
Ex Celt Lewis Morgan has been selected as Player of the Year by NY Red Bulls Supporters. Congratulations.
VAR reportedly could be rolled out in Scottish football this month, as against December introduction as previously scheduled.
Euros draw: Scotland to face Spain & Norway in race for Euro 2024

Summary

Leipzig’s Marco Rose on Celtic Park:
“A great stadium. We are expecting a good crowd with an audience who understands football and not only supports their team, but also appreciates it when the opposition plays well. It will be fun to play here!”

Etims: FT #Celtic 0 RB Leipzig 2

We had our chances but no getting away from it, Leipzig the far superior team tonight. Without CalMac our mid lacks control and leadership. Jota big miss on the left but all teams have injuries to deal with. Hart & two centres backs immense…thankfully!

Chris Sutton:
The better team won. Celtic looked tired in the 2nd half and gave away too many chances. Leipzig eventually capitalised. So many missed opportunities the story of this season’s campaign. Got to stick with what this manager is trying to achieve though and trust the process

Fatboab of KDS:
We are simply nowhere near good enough ( yet?) to play in the CL. We huff and we puff, but we simply can’t kick the door down.
Last night was typical of our recent performances in Europe, a pretty steady first 45, a couple of chances missed then a retreat into our collective shells for the second half.
Let’s get one thing absolutely clear. Red Bull are an average European CL side. If they progress to the last 16, they will be torn apart by Oligarch FC. They’re just the kind of team we used to hand out serious beatings to if they rocked up at CP. Thing is though, they had our system sussed and just bided their time.
First half I thought we were doing quite well. CCV looked superb, O’Riley was doing well and Haksabanovic looked tricky and clever. We just couldn’t take the limited chances that came our way, and we continued to look extremely vulnerable on the counter.
Whatever happens in our dressing room at half time is beyond my comprehension. We come out a fatigued , introverted version of our former selves, and the opposition smell blood.
Yet again we looked out on our feet , especially in the midfield, and the chances dried up for us. Our first shot on target in the second half was around the 77th minute when we were chasing the game.
This is not necessarily the thread to question the manager’s system or tactics, but if we continue down this line we will be on the receiving end of further humpings and the occasional embarrassment.
At this point in time, we are a Europa League quality team, with only CCV looking like he’d walk into that RBL team.
I know it’s a learning process, and that most of our side are unfamiliar with playing at this level, but our fitness and our tactics can be worked on regardless.
A sore one to take, and the likelihood of European football beyond Christmas looks a forlorn hope.
Upside is the manager will be here a while.

Twitter:

@agentscotland Celtic made a lot of good chances in that game tonight and again failed to take a single one of them, they had some decent spells but at no time did they ever look like they had control of the game, even when they were on the backfoot the Germans were far more composed than them. Relying on a Madrid equaliser in Poland to stay in European competition completely after matchday four is as bad as it gets.

@liamkelly Same old story every game in Europe. Play well. Miss several chances in the first half. Get done in second half and miss a couple more chances too. Manager must be as frustrated as us. O’Riley and CCV were outstanding. Forget Europe until we learn to take easy opportunities

@bhoysanalytics Basically out after game 4 in as easy a group as we’ll ever get at this level. We look more competitive by eye but the needle at this level for Celtic has barely moved.

This campaign will be remembered for being the least clinical team in Europe. Played some nice ball, created a ton of chances but couldn’t finish anything.

Teams

Celtic

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Hart
88Juranovic Booked at 90mins
20Carter-Vickers
6Jenz
3Taylor
33O’Riley
41HatateBooked at 34mins Substituted for Mooy at 66′minutes
11Abada Substituted for Forrest at 42′minutes
9Haksabanovic Substituted for Turnbull at 66′minutes
38Maeda
Substituted for Bernabei at 80′minutes
8Furuhashi Substituted for Giakoumakis at 66′minutes

Substitutes

7Giakoumakis
13Mooy
14Turnbull
16McCarthy
25Bernabei
28Abildgaard
29Bain
31Siegrist
35Robertson
49Forrest
56Ralston
57Welsh

RB Leipzig

Formation 4-2-3-1

21Blaswich
2Simakan Substituted for Henrichs at 76′minutes
4Orbán
32Gvardiol
22Raum
8Haidara Substituted for Diallo at 83′minutes
24Schlager
17Szoboszlai Substituted for Forsberg at 76′minutes
18Nkunku Substituted for Novoa at 88′minutes
11Werner
19André Silva Substituted for Poulsen at 76′minutes

Substitutes

9Poulsen
10Forsberg
25Ba
34Nickisch
37Diallo
38Novoa
39Henrichs
44Kampl

Goals:

Werner (75′ minutes),
Forsberg (84′ minutes)

Assists:

André Silva (75′ minutes),
Werner (84′ minutes)

Referee: Halil Umut Meler
Attendance: 57,565

Articles

Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Match Pictures

Match Links

Stats

Celtic
RB Leipzig

Possession: Home42%; Away58%

Shots: Home16; Away13

Shots on Target: Home2; Away5

Corners: Home5; Away5

Fouls: Home11; Away4

Articles

Celtic’s Champions League lament – familiar failings leave European aspirations in tatters after grim night against RB Leipzig

The song remains the same for Celtic in a Champions League campaign now played out.
By Andrew Smith
29 minutes ago
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtics-champions-league-lament-familiar-failings-leave-european-aspirations-in-tatters-after-grim-night-against-rb-leipzig-3876155
Timo Werner celebrates with Mohamed Simakan after scoring to make it 1-0 RB Leipzig during a UEFA Champions League Group F match between Celtic and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park, on October 11, 2022, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
Timo Werner celebrates with Mohamed Simakan after scoring to make it 1-0 RB Leipzig during a UEFA Champions League Group F match between Celtic and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park, on October 11, 2022, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

A lament to lost opportunities… through the missing of them. Not the entire story of the 2-0 home loss to RB Leipzig that leaves them not just unable to qualify. But a central plotline as surely they prepare to exit European football entirely. A consequence of their one-point haul from four games to leave them five adrift of the Germans and four behind Shakhtar Donetsk in Group F with two matches remaining.

Leipzig were ultimately slicker and more ruthless in striking twice in the closing quarter of an hour. The damage caused by Timo Werner thundering in from an Andre Silva cut-back after 75 minutes before substitute Emil Fosberg slammed high past Joe Hart nine minutes later. But Celtic will wonder what would have ensued had they converted golden opportunities in the first half, Greg Taylor and Matt O’Riley both striking the woodwork, and Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda lacking the sangfroid their rivals – even when thwarted by Hart on several occasions – ultimately displayed.

As a result, the mournful refrains are all still in place. Celtic have now only two wins in 24 games in the competition, have failed to score in nine of their last 12 home games at this level, and are still nine years without a Celtic Park victory in the domain. All outcomes expected with much doom-mongering about Celtic prospects even before a ball was kicked. Understandable, when arguably the club’s two most influential players were missing with Jota joining captain Callum McGregor on the sidelines. And during the opening exchanges of a suffocatingly tense first period, the loss of the duo seemed to find Postecolgou’s team exhibiting apprehension as they sought to feel their way into the encounter against more assured opponents.

It wasn’t that Matt O’Riley particularly struggled to slot into McGregor’s midfield anchor role, or that Daizen Maeda could offer a threat on the right – the Japanese looped a header just over in the second minute. More the fact, in the cat-and-mouse as both sides attempted to squeeze the other with their press, the Germans appeared to have the bigger whiskers and claws. Until, that is, Celtic began to find their agility to work their way through the visitors lines with sharp one-touch passing that shifted the momentum midway through the period.

It was then that their moments came … and went, in altogether familiar fashion across this exasperating Champions League campaign. From forcing a series of corners, on the 27th minute O’Riley was desperately unlucky to see a low effort smack the base of the post. From the rebound, though, Taylor was simply wasteful, leaning back to club the ball on to the crossbar from 12 yards when he had the whole target to aim for.

When Furuhashi powered a header wide from a glorious position two minutes later, a familiar script seemed to be in the gestation. But Leipzig, showed weaknesses with their own sightings of goal. Just not as many as Celtic, who, even at 2-0 down found ways to fail to find the target with O’Riley having an effort saved and substitute Giorgos Giakoumakis heading wide from close in. Celtic’s ghastly campaign isn’t a system failure but a striking – in every sense – one.

BBC

By Martin WattBBC Scotland

Last updated on

28 minutes ago28 minutes ago.From the section Champions League
Timo Werner guided in the opener 15 minutes from time
Timo Werner guided in the opener 15 minutes from time

Celtic’s hopes of Champions League progress are over after their profligacy was punished in a frustrating home defeat by RB Leipzig.

Matt O’Riley and Greg Taylor struck the woodwork in quick succession and Daizen Meada and Kyogo Furhashi also passed up glaring chances for the opener.

Leipzig showed the ruthless edge Celtic lacked with late goals from Timo Werner and substitute Emil Forsberg.

It leaves the Scottish champions bottom with one point from four games.

But while a top-two finish is now beyond Celtic, their hopes of salvaging a Europa League place were boosted by Real Madrid’s late equaliser away to Shakhtar Donetsk, who are now four points ahead in third and visit Glasgow in a fortnight.

Reaction & as it happened
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Celtic’s group-stage failings were encapsulated in a dizzying sequence midway through the first half. O’Riley rattled the base of the post with a 20-yard strike and Taylor pounced on the loose ball only to scuff it on to the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Seconds later, Furuhashi grazed the woodwork with a gilt-edged header from Sead Haksabanovic’s delivery.

Daizen Maeda had set the tone of frustration in the opening seconds, scooping an awkward header inches over, and wasteful finishing is ultimately what has condemned Celtic to an exit with two games to spare.

They were eventually undone by a slick Leipzig outfit that had found Joe Hart in imposing form. The Celtic goalkeeper, who gifted a goal in last week’s defeat in Germany, stuck out a leg to brilliantly divert Christopher Nkunku’s powerful drive past the post then spread himself to foil Willi Orban.

Celtic looked increasingly ragged as the second half swung from end to end and the only surprise was how only it took for a goal to arrive. Leipzig full-back Mohamed Simakan blazed over at one end, Meada volleyed Aaron Mooy’s cross wide at the other.

But Leipzig’s growing menace was rewarded when Werner guided a header form Andre Silva’s drilled cross into the bottom corner.

Still Celtic had chances, with substitute Giorgos Giakoumakis unable to convert from close range.

Yet Leipzig put the result beyond doubt when Werner rolled a pass to Forsberg, who took a touch then sent an unerring finish into the top corner.
Man of the match – Timo Werner
A goal and assist made it an enjoyable return to the UK for the former Chelsea striker
A goal and assist made it an enjoyable return to the UK for the former Chelsea striker
What’s next?

Celtic host Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday (15:00 GMT), the first of three domestic outings before their next Champions League assignment at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on 25 October (20:00).

More to follow.

Match ends, Celtic 0, RB Leipzig 2.
90’+3′
Full Time

Second Half ends, Celtic 0, RB Leipzig 2.
90’+3′
Post update

Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+3′
Post update

Foul by David Turnbull (Celtic).
90’+1′
Booking

Josip Juranovic (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
88′
Substitution

Substitution, RB Leipzig. Hugo Novoa replaces Christopher Nkunku.
87′
Post update

Corner, RB Leipzig. Conceded by Alexander Bernabei.
86′
Post update

Attempt missed. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
86′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Aaron Mooy (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
85′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
84′
Goal!

Goal! Celtic 0, RB Leipzig 2. Emil Forsberg (RB Leipzig) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Timo Werner.
83′
Substitution

Substitution, RB Leipzig. Abdou Diallo replaces Amadou Haidara.
83′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Josip Juranovic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Alexander Bernabei.
81′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Willi Orbán.
81′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Aaron Mooy.
80′
Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Alexander Bernabei replaces Daizen Maeda.
79′
Post update

Attempt missed. Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic) header from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by James Forrest with a cross.
78′
Post update

Attempt saved. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
77′
Post update

Hand ball by Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic).
76′
Substitution

Substitution, RB Leipzig. Yussuf Poulsen replaces André Silva.

76′
Substitution

Substitution, RB Leipzig. Emil Forsberg replaces Dominik Szoboszlai.
76′
Substitution

Substitution, RB Leipzig. Benjamin Henrichs replaces Mohamed Simakan.
75′
Goal!

Goal! Celtic 0, RB Leipzig 1. Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by André Silva.
73′
Post update

Xaver Schlager (RB Leipzig) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
73′
Post update

Foul by Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic).
71′
Post update

Attempt saved. Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mohamed Simakan.
70′
Post update

Attempt missed. Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig) header from very close range is high and wide to the right. Assisted by David Raum with a cross.
70′
Post update

Attempt missed. Daizen Maeda (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Aaron Mooy with a cross.
69′
Post update

Attempt missed. Mohamed Simakan (RB Leipzig) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Timo Werner.
66′
Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Aaron Mooy replaces Reo Hatate.
66′
Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Giorgos Giakoumakis replaces Kyogo Furuhashi.
66′
Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. David Turnbull replaces Sead Haksabanovic.
64′
Post update

Foul by Willi Orbán (RB Leipzig).
64′
Post update

Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
62′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
60′
Post update

Corner, RB Leipzig. Conceded by Cameron Carter-Vickers.
58′
Post update

Foul by André Silva (RB Leipzig).
58′
Post update

Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
56′
Post update

Foul by Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Leipzig).
56′
Post update

Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.

54′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by James Forrest.
52′
Post update

Willi Orbán (RB Leipzig) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
52′
Post update

Foul by Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic).
51′
Post update

André Silva (RB Leipzig) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
51′
Post update

Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
51′
Post update

Attempt missed. Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Sead Haksabanovic with a cross following a corner.
50′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Josko Gvardiol.
49′
Post update

Attempt saved. Willi Orbán (RB Leipzig) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Amadou Haidara with a through ball.
49′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
48′
Post update

Corner, RB Leipzig. Conceded by Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Second Half

Second Half begins Celtic 0, RB Leipzig 0.
45’+2′
Half Time

First Half ends, Celtic 0, RB Leipzig 0.
45’+1′
Post update

Attempt missed. Willi Orbán (RB Leipzig) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Dominik Szoboszlai with a cross following a corner.
45′
Post update

Corner, RB Leipzig. Conceded by Joe Hart.
45′
Post update

Attempt saved. Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Dominik Szoboszlai.
43′
Post update

Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
43′
Post update

Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
42′
Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Liel Abada because of an injury.
41′
Post update

Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
41′
Post update

Foul by Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic).

34′
Booking

Reo Hatate (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
34′
Post update

Xaver Schlager (RB Leipzig) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
34′
Post update

Foul by Reo Hatate (Celtic).
34′
Post update

André Silva (RB Leipzig) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
34′
Post update

Foul by Greg Taylor (Celtic).
29′
Post update

Mohamed Simakan (RB Leipzig) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
29′
Post update

Foul by Daizen Maeda (Celtic).
29′
Post update

Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Sead Haksabanovic.
27′
Post update

Offside, Celtic. Greg Taylor tries a through ball, but Daizen Maeda is caught offside.
27′
Post update

Greg Taylor (Celtic) hits the bar with a left footed shot from the right side of the box following a corner.
27′
Post update

Matt O’Riley (Celtic) hits the right post with a left footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Liel Abada following a corner.
26′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by David Raum.
26′
Post update

Attempt missed. Moritz Jenz (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Sead Haksabanovic with a cross.
25′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Janis Blaswich.
25′
Post update

Attempt saved. Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
25′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Willi Orbán.
21′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by André Silva.
14′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Christopher Nkunku.
13′
Post update

Foul by Mohamed Simakan (RB Leipzig).
13′
Post update

Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

8′
Post update

Attempt missed. Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Leipzig) right footed shot from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by David Raum with a cross.
6′
Post update

Mohamed Simakan (RB Leipzig) wins a free kick on the right wing.
6′
Post update

Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
5′
Post update

Corner, RB Leipzig. Conceded by Josip Juranovic.
1′
Post update

Attempt missed. Daizen Maeda (Celtic) header from very close range is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by Liel Abada with a cross.
Kick Off

First Half begins.
Posted at 20:5920:59
Post update

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Defiant Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou vows to stick to guns and gives injury update on Jota and Liel Abada
Andrew Smith – Yesterday 23:35
Comments

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/american-football/defiant-celtic-boss-ange-postecoglou-vows-to-stick-to-guns-and-gives-injury-update-on-jota-and-liel-abada/ar-AA12QOBw

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou struck a defiant tone as his side tumbled out of Champions League contention following their 2-0 home loss to RB Leipzig.

Defiant Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou vows to stick to guns and gives injury update on Jota and Liel Abada
Defiant Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou vows to stick to guns and gives injury update on Jota and Liel Abada
© Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou reacts during the 2-0 defeat by RB Leipzig.
And he maintained that despite the haul of a single point from four sobering Group A encounters he was “more encouraged than discouraged” that his team were making inroads to proving competitive at the highest level of club football.

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In truth, it wasn’t Celtic’s openness that cost them against the Germans but a familiar failing of coming up short in front of goal. A feature he alighted on in stressing it would be foolhardy to change his approach of seeking to take the game to opponents – as they have to meagre effect in going down twice to Leipzig, and losing at home to Real Madrid, with their one point coming in Warsaw against Shakhtar Donetsk. Now five points adrift of the Leipzig and four shy of the Ukrainians only an unlikely series of outcomes will allow them to remain in Europe post-Christmas, but that did not alter the message communicated by the Celtic manager with Donetsk to be hosted in a fortnight before a group-concluder in Madrid.

“It’s about holding our nerve and not falling into the trap of thinking it’s not working. I believe it is not far away from working,” Postecoglou said. “I think the worst thing you can do is now shy away from doing what we are doing because we haven’t had success immediately at this level. My sort of theory on this stuff is that you just have to keep persevering and heading down this road.

Related video: St Johnstone 1 Celtic 2 reflections / Champions League preview

“If we were getting outplayed and not creating chances we would need a different mindset but I think we are very close to becoming a really good team at this level. Our process can’t be fast-tracked just because I want it to happen. We still have to take the steps and the players have got to go through the experiences.

“We have got to keep going. Irrespective of whether we can continue on we have two more Champions League games and we want to keep using as a platform to improve as a football team, to improve our players. And while they have exposure at this level, I think the better equipped we will be moving forward.

“That is why we are doing what we are doing and I am doing what I am doing. There is a gap there that we are never going to be able to close in terms of becoming one of these bigger clubs but we can chip away at it. That’s my theory on it. Every time you go out there you get a little bit closer. I feel we are doing that. The results won’t show that but from the way I look at football and what we are trying to do as a club I think we are on the right road.”

Meanwhile, Postecoglou revealed that Jota could remain sidelined for the weekend after missing out against Marco Rose’s side, though the problem that forced Liel Abada off does not appear to be a concern.

“Jota is still a bit sore today,” the Celtic manager said. “He needs a bit of investigation. It’s nothing serious. It may still keep him out of the weekend but we will see how it goes. [With Abada]. “II think it’s nothing too serious. A dead leg, muscle injury. We have an extra day to recover before Saturday so he may still be involved.”