The blame game begins
Did anyone do themselves justice? Other than James Forrest I don’t think that there were any players that could have been satisfied with their performance.
The players that can normally be relied upon turned in performances way below par. Craig Gordon couldn’t get close to corners that landed in his six yard box, the normally composed Nir Bitton was fortunate to stay on the park before being substituted.
Leigh Griffiths could have been sent off for a shocking lapse in discipline in the first half, Stefan Johansen was made to look ordinary by someone that couldn’t get near a Celtic jersey last season
“Today we performed not even close to our best, we looked scared and uncomfortable on the ball,” Ronny Deila said. “We didn’t deserve to get there. This experience is very hard.”
It’s not hard to find fault in every area of the team, that criticism extends into the management and all the way to the top of the boardroom.
The heady days of beating Barcelona and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League are now grainy memories, few of those involved in that campaign are still around or likely to be back for another crack at the big prize.
By and large Celtic fans know the realities of modern day football finances. Competing with the European elite is a pipe-dream, there are over 20 English teams that can outspend the hoops when it comes to spending power.
Equally there are no sound reasons why Celtic should be losing out to the champions of Slovenia or Sweden.
The reality is that the club is sliding backwards, the title is likely to be won again but who would back Celtic to negotiate through next season’s Champions League qualifiers?
Saturday’s win at Dundee United provided some consolation. Tom Rogic, Scott Allan and Eoghan O’Connell showed promise. Without the finances of the Champions League it’s likely that more than Virgil van Dijk will be moved on.
The Europa League won’t provide any consolation, a half full stadium on a Thursday night will crystallise where the club currently stands.
Whether it’s on the park, in the dug-out or from the boardroom fresh ideas are urgently needed if the Champions League failures of 2014 and 2015 are to be avoided in 2016.
Pile in with your thoughts below.