Outclassed, but with something to build upon
Losing any game of football is never a pleasant experience. But sometimes you just have to accept that the opposition is better.
That was clearly evident on Thursday night at Ibrox when Rangers were defeated 2-0 by Lyon.
The French side played some fine football, and also knew exactly when to slow the game down and frustrate Steven Gerrard’s men.
The Lyon head coach, Peter Bosz, is an experienced campaigner, and he was never going to let his team surrender their lead.
Even this early, it looks as though Lyon will finish top of the section, and it’s up to Rangers to battle it out with Brondby and Sparta Prague for the runners-up spot.
Despite the Matchday One defeat, Steven’s side are still in it, and their recent record in European football offers plenty of encouragement.
I would not rule them out from finishing right behind Lyon and progressing in this tournament.
Celtic also suffered a defeat, and they must be lamenting losing that 2-0 lead they had against Real Betis in Seville.
Defensively, they switched off and it shows there is still lots of work to be done in the rearguard.
But Ange Postecoglou and his squad need to be cut some slack. The manager is trying to find his best back four, and once he has established that, they will get better.
To have Joe Hart behind them is also a real boost.
What Celtic don’t need to be concerned about is how they operate from middle to front. They have some excellent operators in that area.
That’s why they should also feel that they can emerge from their group.
They had to do without Callum McGregor and Kyogo Furuhashi in Spain, and were bound to be weakened by that.
Still, I do have high hopes for Celtic. There is a lot if improvement still needed, but I think Ange is taking them in the right direction.