Celtic make stark admission on performances - team is now 'under more pressure'

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou conceded that his team’s ejection from European competition against Bodo/Glimt was the product of their “two least effective” performances in the continent this season.

The 5-1 aggregate defeat that has befallen them as a result of the 2-0 reverse in the Arctic Circle second leg of their Conference League last 16 play-off represents the club’s biggest margin of loss in a knock-out tie to a team outside the big five leagues in almost 60 years contesting cross-border competition. An outcome that appeared inevitable following their 3-1 home loss the previous week, Postecoglou maintained they did come anywhere near the standards even in losing 4-0 at home to Bayer Leverkusen in their unsuccessful Europa League group campaign, which followed on from being dumped out of the Champions League qualifying stage by Midtylland before he had the opportunity to comprehensively remould his squad.

“We have performed in Europe, but we haven’t done it in these two games,” he said, with reference to the displays, and wins, in a tough Europa League section containing Real Betis and Ferencvaros. “[But the Bodo/Glimt games] have been our least effective two performances in Europe – including when we got beat 4-0 with Leverkusen. Our levels weren’t where they should be over these two games, and Bodo/Glimt deservedly go through.

“I expect to go further in every competition we play and that is the nature of this football club. Obviously this year for us Europe was a bit beyond us in terms of the levels we need to get to. That’s disappointing and it is my responsibility to make sure we improve and do better.”

Celtic captain Callum McGregor also accepted his team had fallen well short, but insisted it wasn’t a case