Despite being off duty Chris Sutton brilliantly summed up Celtic’s Champions League draw at home to Atletico Madrid.
Twice Celtic went in front from well constructed goals only to be undone as Atletico took advantage of a slack Celtic defending.
The point leaves Brendan Rodgers side up against it for even a Europa League place but there was progress made from the first two group stage defeats.
Tremendous first half from Celtic but ran out of steam. Not enough belief and bravery in possession in the second half. Brendan not throwing Oh on tells it’s own story. Maeda not clean enough with his link up as a central striker. Atletico really excellent at shithousery…
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) October 25, 2023
Within four minutes the hoops found themselves in front as Matt O’Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi combined to open up the Atletico defence with the striker finishing in some style.
A penalty brought the visitors level but only for four minute with Luis Palma continuing his impressive form to fire Celtic back into the lead.
The lead only lasted eight minutes of the second half with Alvaro Morato heading Atletico level with the Spanish side looking the more likely to go on and win.
There was plenty for Celtic to take from the game as well as a point but a failure to build on a storming first half leaves them up against it, three points adrift of Lazio at the bottom of Group E.
After tonight’s game what is blatantly obvious is that UEFA are as corrupt as ever. Celtic complained against the rock bottom referees in the first 2 games and we were given a top ref in the German. However another soft penalty and again most dives from Spain get free kicks, genuine fouls are not so forthcoming when they are for Celtic!
UEFA have made themselves clear by their agenda in making 4th placed teams in the big leagues automatic qualifiers. Now what is obvious is that they are directing their refs to make sure the big teams qualify.
It is an absolute disgrace!!!!!
Also Brendan’s subs didn’t help. Taylor is a good passer of the ball, but he is p!sh at tackling!!!
He wanted a left back in the summer and Lawell wouldn’t give him the Nantes left back at £7m.
Brendan brought Phillips on so that Scales could help Taylor on the left because Taylor cannot tackle or put pressure on an opponent. He is always 20 yards away from the right winger and he first reaction is to run away. Look at Johnson on the other side. Vastly different!
What a bad decision that is going to be!
Because now, Matt, Kyogo, Maeda & Hatate have now realised that they won’t get far staying at Celtic. So instead of supporting Brendan, the manager will need to replace 3 or 4 top players next summer.
Michael Nicolson needs to sack Peter Lawell.
He is a disgrace!!!
i think you spoke for all celtic fans with your summing up of the current position of the club , well said , fantastic post ,
Read the board has a fund anticipating Celtic don’t qualify from the group stage, that says it all. They have shown they can compete but are 1 or 2 Champions League quality players away. They are just that little bit short of quality. They have to stop with signing cheap development players and start buying the quality that will make the difference now. You would honestly believe the board is not interested in making inroads in Europe.
Atletico are masters of the dark arts, it really is embarrassing to watch. Football today is a joke, any little touch and big men as hard as rocks go down rolling and screaming. Was NEVER A PENALTY! Agree with everything the last post stated. FIFA AND UEFA ARE AS CORRUPT AS THE SPORT OF BOXING, IF NOT WORSE.
Love Celtic but getting tired of getting knocked out of Europe every year by a combination of corruption and lack of quality investment in the squad. Open the bloody PURSE STRINGS AND BRING IN SOME REAL NEXT LEVEL QUALITY TO WORK WITH THE GREAT PLAYERS WE HAVE! HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO PUT UP WITH THIS NONSENSE!
Where were the subs half of them were dead on their feet in the second half. Oh he made two not that counted for anything. We will take the point. Not happy with Brendan.