Celtic’s upcoming schedule for the remainder of the season has been made a bit lighter following their dramatic exit from European competition.
Brendan Rodgers’ squad had an impressive run in the Champions League, but their journey was cut short in heartbreaking fashion. Despite playing well throughout the tournament, Celtic was eliminated after Bayern Munich scored a last-minute equalizer in Germany, knocking the Scottish side out on aggregate. It was a crushing end to what had otherwise been a strong showing among Europe’s top clubs, with the revised competition format seeming to play in Celtic’s favor.
Celtic’s campaign included some standout results, such as a convincing 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig. They also earned valuable points on the road against Atalanta and Dinamo Zagreb. Additionally, the Hoops secured wins against Young Boys and played out a 1-1 draw against Club Brugge. The season kicked off with a dominant 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava at Celtic Park, setting the tone for what promised to be an exciting European adventure.
Despite their early exit, the way their Champions League journey ended at the Allianz Arena highlighted the progress Celtic has made under Rodgers. It was clear that they had closed the gap on Europe’s elite, and the experiences gained during this campaign will surely serve them well in the future. With the potential for more memorable nights ahead, Celtic’s European aspirations remain strong.
When a Rangers fan attempted to rub Celtic’s elimination in their faces ahead of this weekend’s highly anticipated Glasgow derby, it was a bit of a surprise to see former footballer and talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara come to the defense of the Scottish giants.
O’Hara, known for his outspoken opinions, has not always been a Celtic supporter, and his criticism has often been directed at the club. However, when a talkSPORT caller tried to diminish Celtic’s accomplishments in Europe, O’Hara was quick to jump in. The caller had boasted about Rangers’ performance in Europe, following their dramatic penalty win over Fenerbahce in the Europa League, saying, “Rangers are the team that are doing it in Europe – not Celtic.”
Without hesitation, O’Hara responded, “You had to get that dig in, didn’t you? Oh come on, mate, give credit where it’s due – Celtic haven’t half done well in the Champions League, they’ve qualified.”
This moment of clarity from O’Hara was notable, especially considering his history of defending Celtic from other pundits, including his close friend Jason Cundy. Despite occasional jibes from Cundy and others, O’Hara stood by the Hoops and recognized the remarkable achievements of Celtic’s Champions League campaign.
The Hoops’ performance this season was worthy of admiration. Their efforts were widely praised by several pundits, including football legends Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, who both expressed their admiration for Celtic’s time in the prestigious competition. Their performances also earned the club widespread recognition, with Celtic receiving well-deserved accolades for their resilience and ability to compete at the highest level.
One notable individual achievement came from Daizen Maeda, who equaled a long-standing record for Celtic in the Champions League with his goal tally. Maeda’s consistency in front of goal was a key factor in Celtic’s impressive run, and his contribution was a highlight of the season for the club.
While Celtic may have fallen short of advancing further in the Champions League, their performance left a lasting impression on the football world. The lessons learned from this campaign, combined with the increased confidence and experience gained, will no doubt set the stage for even greater success in the future, both domestically and on the European stage.
