EUR A REAL TOUGH NUT TO CRACK!
Christie admits playing Valencia & Co has been a steep learning curve for Hoops
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The Hoops haven’t won a post-group phase knockout match in 15 years in either the Champions League or Europa League – and barring a miracle in the Mestalla on Thursday, that’s going to stretch to at least 16.
The frustration of that record poured out of playmaker Christie as he picked the bones out of a home defeat to Valencia – one that he and his teammates know was avoidable, yet were powerless to stop.
And he’s left wondering how the Hoops can turn the games they believe they can win into games they actually do.
The 23-year-old said: “It was frustrating. We started the game perfectly in our eyes.
“In the first 20 minutes we dominated possession and looked like we could be a threat going forward.
“But to be fair to Valencia, they came with a really good game plan. For a team to be playing 4-4-2, you would think we could open them up but we found it so difficult to break them down and find spaces between their midfield.
“We can only blame ourselves for the defeat though because at times our discipline on the ball, and lack of control when we actually had it, cost us in the end.
“We lost the goals from two counter-attacks.
“And while we’re all really deflated and disappointed at the 2-0 defeat, when you look back at it you need to make sure it’s something to learn from.”
Oddsonne Edouard could take his place back in the Celtic attack following his introduction as a sub in the defeat to Valencia.
Kieran Tierney is back in training but the game could come too soon for him.
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