Ange Postecoglou in Celtic reception repayment vow as he rues missed chances in Real Madrid defeat

Ange Postecoglou says he is determined to bridge the Euro gap and repay the Celtic fans after their rapturous Real Madrid send-off.

The Aussie boss watched his troops scrap with the Spaniards before the Kings of Europe wore them down to win the Group F opener at Parkhead. However, despite the defeat, Postecoglou and his players were chanted off the pitch at full-time by a support proud and appreciative of the way their heroes went at and performed against the trophy holders.

The manager says the display and the reaction has only doubled his desire and determination to have his club fighting with the best on a regular basis. Asked if he took pride from such warmth at the end, he said: “No, I just feel the responsibility of bringing this football club to this level. That’s what these fans deserve. There is no starker reminder of that than the reception they gave us after the game.

“They deserve to see their football club competing with the likes of Real Madrid on a regular basis. And really competing.

“I feel that responsibility and I want to get us up to this level so that this club and these fans get what they deserve. I just think it is a measure of what our ambitions are. I make no secret of the fact that I want us to be a Champions League club competing at this level on a regular basis against the best.

“Just because it is our first foray into it for a few years, I want us to make up that ground as quickly as possible. It is not about being optimistic or pessimistic about it, it is about being determined to bridge that gap.

“I feel that responsibility. I want us to be a Champions League football club.

“For that to happen, we have got to come out next week [against Shakhtar Donetsk] in a game that again is