Ronny Deila was shocked by Celtic’s capitulation to Legia Warsaw last night.
The hoops got off lightly with just a 4-1 defeat that leaves them with a slender chance of reaching the play-off round for the Champions League.
Nothing went right for Deila’s side with the Norwegian scathing about the way his players performed.
“We started well and got the first goal but from there we gave up pressure and conceded easy goals,” he explained. “We lost our heads and lost the ball in areas of the pitch which caused us problems. We didn’t stay together in the back four and they had easy chances. The red card made it a totally different game in the second half.
“Again we started okay in the second half, but we were not together as a team, some of the players pressing high up the pitch and others staying back. It was a very poor performance and worst of all for me was the commitment and energy of the team. We need much more. That’s what concerns me most.”
Deila’s comments are in complete contrast to his thoughts before the match where he expressed his satisfaction at the way the squad was developing.
“It is going to be two fantastic games,” he predicted. “But we are improving all the time. The tempo in the training and matches has gone up so we are getting fitter and we know each other better.
“So I know we are going to put in a good performance tonight and I am comfortable that we can be good enough to beat Legia.”
Restoring morale and installing confidence in the side looks a tall order but with a £20m prize available for reaching the group stage of the Champions League the stakes couldn’t be higher.