Ange Postecoglou has opened up on the defensive problems which dogged Celtic through their 4-2 win over Jablonec in the Europa League.
The result should take Celtic into the play-off but the softness that was evident in defeats from Midtjylland and Hearts was present again as the hoops conceded soft goals.
Nir Bitton was the obvious fall guy but there was also a lack of protection from central midfield- highlighted by the run that Vaclav Pilar made in the 17th minute to score the first goal for Jablonec.
It was the sort of run that James McCarthy will be expected to cut out, failing that a challenge from a central defender would have put Pilar off his stride.
After the win Postecoglou told The Sun:
I felt we just didn’t control the game as well as we could have after 35 minutes of the game. Defensively we were really open. We still had chances, but it’s NOT the way I want us to play.
After one training session with his new team-mates Joe Hart made his debut, the former England keeper had little to do and was blameless at both goals.
The winners of the Celtic v Jablonec tie will face AZ Alkmaar in the Play Off round of the Europa League.
