Oh so close- Celtic’s nearly moment against Real Madrid
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group H - Celtic v Real Madrid - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - September 6, 2022 Celtic's Callum McGregor shoots at goal REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Twenty one minutes into the match, on the back of a bold and aggressive start Celtic had their ‘what if’ moment against Real Madrid.
Fuelled by anticipation that had been building since the draw had been made Celtic were back in the big time against the biggest of them all.
Ange Postecoglou’s team had delivered what the manager had put on the tin. They were attacking the champions of Europe from every direction.
A move down the left, fed into the box, laid back into the path of an advancing midfielder. Near perfect contact, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois motionless but as the ball flew past it struck the inside of the post, crossed the goal-line and flew to safety.
Callum McGregor came so close to making the Celtic fans go wild! ?
Such a clean strike! #UCL pic.twitter.com/mE7uo6M8H1
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 6, 2022
If, if that had gone in the game could well have shaped up different but we’ll never know.
Could Celtic have added a second, would Real have retaliated? We’ll never know.
Next week Celtic go to Warsaw. Shakhtar’s win away to RB Leipzig puts a different complexion on the group but taking at least a point from that match is essential for Celtic’s hopes. If Shakhtar take six points from their first two matches they will be in pole position to progress.