Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 Celtic: 3 things we learned from defeat

For a long time, it looked like Celtic were set to get a result against Bayer Leverkusen away in Germany, in what would have been another famous European result for the Glasgow giants. But as has so often been the case in recent times, the Hoops just could not hold on. They conceded twice after the 80 minute mark, to be handed a 3-2 defeat by the Bundesliga giants.

While that might not have looked like the worst result coming into the game, with how things turned out, it is certainly a disappointing one.

Jota and Josip Juranovic scored the goals on the night for Celtic but they were not enough to get the result that the Hoops required.

Real Betis managed to beat Ferencvaros in the other game, meaning that Celtic’s chances of making it through to the knockout phase of the Europa League are over.

Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 Celtic: 3 things we learned from defeat

Here are three things we learned as Celtic failed to hold on to their lead and conceded two late goals against Bayer Leverkusen to taste a 3-2 defeat:

Celtic’s lack of depth hurts them again

It is no secret that Celtic do not have a lot of depth in their squad at this point of time, and it ended up hurting them against Bayer Leverkusen.

Many will question Ange Postecoglou’s decision to take off the front three. But they were leading 2-1 at the time and while it clearly had an effect on the other end of the pitch, it was not the reason why the Hoops conceded twice after the 80th minute.

In that regard, Nir Bitton’s substitution, after he picked up a knock, was much more significant and once again showed Celtic’s lack of depth in the middle of the park.

If Postecoglou had more options on the bench, this game probably could have gone a different way. Who knows?