We needed some extra energy- Ange explains key decision that backfired

No one will ever be able to say for definite but many Celtic fans are convinced that if Jota and James Forrest had played the full 90 minutes against Bayer Leverkusen their side would still be in the Europa League this morning.

Taking Forrest off, starting his first match since mid August, was understandable but on the back of an outstanding performance highlighted by the goal that put Celtic in front substituting Jota was harder to justify.

Another 20 minutes from the Benfica winger would surely have troubled the Leverkusen defence, a third goal for the hoops would have put the match beyond the Germans.

Postecoglou replaced his front three in the 70th minute away to Ferencvaros but taking off Jota and Forrest after 72 minutes last night with Kyogo four minutes later backfired as Leverkusen stormed through to win the match in the last 10 minutes.

Discussing the substitution of Jota, Football Scotland reports the Celtic boss saying:

We took him off because him and James in the front three worked really hard. I felt we needed some extra energy particularly in the wide areas and we had two players on the bench to do that. I felt it was a good time to make the substitutions.

Celtic now have a dead-rubber at home to Real Betis on December 9 to rest key players with seven fixtures still to be played before the winter break starts on January 2.