When it comes to results, Celtic’s Champions League group stage campaign has not been a success. The Hoops have just earned one point from four games till now, scoring twice and conceding nine goals. But there have been many aspects of their game, that has been cause for optimism in the long run.
Celtic have created a galore of chances, even against opposition like Real Madrid and RB Leipzig, and if they just could have taken them and put the ball into the back of the net, they would have very much been in the running to qualify for the last 16 of the competition.
Thus, there are certainly areas to improve in but at the same time, no reason to think that this side cannot compete at that level eventually.
Questions have been raised in the media though. And as reported by the Daily Record, when asked if it’s beneficial for Celtic to be involved in the Champions League, Ange Postecoglou said:
"“As opposed to just not being involved at all? So what you’re saying is that we play domestic competition and just ignore everything else? I get your question and I understand the whole… living here for 18 months now I’ve seen the Scottish national team go from heroes to no-hopers to heroes again.“So I get this whole boom-bust cycle, and getting to here and the whole ‘woe is me’. We’re not the only country that struggles to get results at Champions League level.“I can only talk for my club but if anyone can tell me that from the four games we’ve played that we don’t deserve to be there, or that we’ve been outplayed or looked out of place, then I reckon they’re talking from an agenda or some sort of bias.“The questions I’ve had after each of our games is about opportunities missed. The ‘opportunities missed’ suggests that we’ve got to improve some areas for sure, but doesn’t say that we somehow don’t belong in a competition that we’ve earned the right to be in.”"
Celtic boss gives brilliant reply to media about Champions League question
Perhaps the problem with Celtic’s campaign in the Champions League was the fact that the expectations had been raised very high after a brilliant first half display against Real Madrid.
And while the performance levels have stayed pretty high since then, it has also become clear that there is a gap between Europe’s elite club and the Scottish champions when it comes to efficiency and effectiveness in front of goal.
That is not something that cannot be worked upon though and Celtic certainly do have a lot of young players in their squad who will only get better after experiencing what it takes to play in the Champions League level.
So expect better results next season, if Celtic are able to make the Champions League main stage next time around.