competition for the consecutive second season.
The 6-0 loss to Atletico Madrid encapsulates Celtic’s recent Champions League experience. While the post-mortem will undoubtedly start following the conclusion of the team’s final group match, TBR Celtic examines five major errors that, in our opinion, have cost Celtic in the competition.
Celtic wall of Joe Hart against Feyenoord
Feyenoord was given a free kick nearly thirty yards from Hart’s goal, just as Celtic was starting to look comfortable and compete with the Dutch champions.
Hart arranged the wall and set himself up for what ought to have been a simple save. But the wall did not perform as expected, leaving the Hoops keeper sprawled and Feyenoord ahead 1-0.
While some argue that Hart’s placement was at fault, Martin O’Neill and I believe the wall was at fault for not withstanding it.
Celtic red cards from Odin Thaigo Holm and Gustaf Lagerbielke against Feyenoord
For two entirely different reasons, they are both ridiculous. Let’s take Holm first. After less than ten minutes of play, Celtic was ahead 1-0 when a reckless challenge reduced the Hoops to nine men and all but ended the match.
The 20-year-old was given a straight red card and was suspended for Celtic’s next game against Lazio due to a blood clot in his head and an ill-advised tackle.
There might be some sympathy for Lagerbi
elke. Although the Swede’s second yellow card was harsh, Celtic ultimately paid a heavy price for his first booking—which came from his lunge in.
Celtic red cards against Feyenoord: Odin Thaigo Holm & Gustaf Lagerbielke
They are both ridiculous, but for very different reasons. Let us begin with Holm. The Hoops were reduced to nine men and the game was effectively over after a reckless challenge with Celtic down 1-0 after less than ten minutes of play.
Due to a clumsy tackle and a blood clot to the head, the 20-year-old was given a straight red card and was suspended for Celtic’s next game against Lazio.
One could feel some sympathy for Lagerbielke. Although his second yellow card was harsh, Celtic ultimately paid a heavy price for the Swede’s decision to charge in and receive his first booking.
Brendan Rodgers’ massive error against Lazio as a Celtic
With the score tied at one, Celtic was leading the game. Midway through the second half, the Celtics manager made his customary substitutions, starting Cameron Carter-Vickers in place of Nat Phillips.
Phillips, who was having a good time with the game, looked surprised. The decision by Rodgers to start the US defender in his first game back following a protracted injury layoff, however, surprised me.
The strategy backfired when Carter-Vickers faltered in the closing seconds, allowing Lazio to break free and score a horrific game-winning goal that condemned Celtic to yet another loss.
Joe Hart’s stoppage play for Atletico’s opening goal against Celtic
I mentioned this in passing yesterday.
