With Celtic’s most naturally talented footballer ruled out just when Ange Postecoglou needed him the most, the question was how would the Hoops find a way to overcome RB Leipzig and keep their Champions League hopes without the dizzying talents of Filipe Jota.
In the end, it was a question no one in green-and-white looked capable of answering on a frustrating night at Parkhead. Celtic could, and perhaps should, have had a first group-stage victory of the campaign wrapped up long before Timo Werner gave Leipzig a 75th minute lead.
The hard-working yet exasperating Daizen Maeda spurned golden chances in both half. Kyogo Furuhashi headed a Sead Haksabanovic cross over the bar. Matt O’Riley and Greg Taylor hit the woodwork. And, on countless other occasions, Celtic found a Leipzig defender rather than a green-clad attacker; so many promising openings passing them by.
One measly point is far from an accurate reflection of how Postecoglou’s side have performed across four Champions League matches. The problem is, if you’re going to be wasteful at one end and vulnerable to quick counters at the other, this is what happens against the very best Europe has to offer.
How can Celtic improve in the Champions League?
Maeda’s commendable work ethic aside, a lack of end product is starting to become a growing concern. He missed a glorious chance late on in the 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk too. Giorgios Giakoumakis has been equally profligate in Europe. And for all of Liel Abada’s qualities, the Israel winger has looked well short of Champions League standard; bringing an end to many a promising attack with poor decision making.
Whether Ryan Mmaee would have scored the kind of chances Maeda and Abada missed is anyone’s guess. But a tally of 19 goals and 11 assists for Hungarian giants Ferencvaros last term – some of those coming in sparkling European performances against Bayer Leverkusen, BSC Young Boys and, yes, Celtic – should certainly give Postecoglou and co food for thought in the New Year, particularly in the knowledge that successive Premiership titles will see the Glasgow giants return to the Champions League group-stage in 2023.
According to The Athletic, Celtic have monitored jet-heeled Morocco international Mmaee in recent months. And with Celtic lacking the ruthlessness required to turn all that possession into anything more tangible against Real Madrid, Shakhtar and Leipzig, a player capable of producing double figures for both goals and assists – and one with a proven track record in Europe – could perhaps be the difference between an early exit and knock-out stage football in 2023/24. The difference between galling draws and narrow defeats and something better.
Consider Celtic’s Champions League campaign a lesson. A lesson that must be learned from.
