Stiliyan Petrov insists Celtic can't use Champions League as a learning ground with Rodgers 'development' shot down

It ended up being the same old story for Celtic in the Champions League.

Brendan Rodgers' side played well but ende dup with nothing to show for it. And hard luck stories see you punished at this level. Kyogo's early opener got them off to a flying start, but a failure to clear their lines saw Mathias vecino scramble a leveller for Lazio to send the sides in all square at the break.

The hosts were well on top for the majority of the second half. And it looked like they'd finally gotten what they deserved when Luis Palma rifled home at the near post with ten minutes left before celebrating what they thought was the winner to the max. But a VAR checked showed he was offside from Daizen maeda's flick and all the shirt waving was in vain, but still earned him a yellow card for his troubles.

And the sucker punch came deep into stoppage time. The six added minutes were basically up when Spanish veteran Pedro - one of the smallest players on the pitch - rose highest to head home the winner for Maurizio Sarri's side, who took all three points back to Rome in the ultimate smash and grab move.

Rodgers said before the game that his team have to develop at this level. But that didn't go down well with Stiliyan Petrov. He said: "I strongly disagree with Brendan's talking about development, this is the Champions League. What Champions League game, this is something you have to be ready for. This is what the club demands, and those players have played together long enough. Developing in those games? It don't stand for me."

The penny should have dropped by now that sloppiness costs goals against the top sides. Not that Celtic are making errors on purpose, but studio pundits Petrov and Neil Lennon were at pains to point out what was