Celtic's European Struggles Under Scrutiny After Celta Vigo Loss
Questions arise about individual and collective player quality as Celtic faces continued European disappointment.
Celtic's European campaign is facing renewed scrutiny following a Europa League defeat to Celta Vigo, prompting discussions about the team's overall quality and performance.
Liam Scales recorded the most touches of any Celtic player with 121, significantly more than left-back Kieran Tierney (79) and goalkeeper Sam Johnstone (69), indicating a potential lack of midfield control or widespread ball involvement. Following the match, goalscorer Baur acknowledged the team's shortcomings in the second half, stating, "How we played second half, last 30 minutes, we deserved it in the end." When pressed on the reasons for the team's collapse, Baur admitted, "I cannot tell you, sorry."
He further elaborated on the need for control during challenging moments: "It can happen that you get a goal, they can score too, good team - you should then get control back, hold the ball a bit longer to take the momentum away from them. You should break that." However, Celtic failed to regain control or disrupt Celta's momentum, ultimately leading to their defeat.
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner expressed a stark assessment of the team's capabilities at this level. "I don't think Celtic are good enough, individually and collectively, to take on a team that's eighth in La Liga," Bonner stated. He observed that Celta moved the ball effectively, preventing Celtic from closing them down. "They are not good enough at this level," Bonner concluded, adding that the club's significant investment in players has not translated into sufficient on-field performance to meet fan expectations.
Martin O'Neill, reflecting on the match, pointed to marginal moments and refereeing decisions. However, the broader concerns raised by Bonner suggest a more fundamental issue regarding the team's competitiveness in European competition.
Celtic's next European fixture is scheduled for November 5th, when they will host Besiktas. The team will be aiming to improve their continental form, though the recent performance raises questions about their ability to do so.