Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LENNY: WE WERE A BIG LET DOWN
CELTIC manager Neil Lennon has slammed his players following a dismal 4-1 Europa League defeat at home to Sparta Prague.
Lukas Julis’ hat-trick and a late header from Ladislav Krejci sealed a heavy loss as the visitors became the first Czech side to win at Celtic Park.
The home side now need a miracle to revive their ambitions of reaching the knockout stage.
Celtic trail second-placed AC Milan by five points in Group H with three games remaining and are on course to be knocked out of European competition by Christmas for the first time in four years.
And asked if the performance failed to match his standards,
Lennon said: “I got the total opposite.
“First half, we started off OK, then we got really ragged with the ball and we’ve lost a goal from a set-play again, which is down to the lack of hunger, wanting to defend, it shouldn’t happen.
“It’s not even a great corner, we’re so lackadaisical and it summed up our night.
“I don’t know where that performance has come from and I can only apologise to the supporters, but the players know that’s totally unacceptable.
“We get it back to 2-1, we’re looking like we’re in the game then, we’ve had to chase it then we’ve given away a really poor third goal.
“If you can’t defend as a unit then we’re going to concede goals. The hungrier team won today, and that’s on the players. I’ll have to change the coaching, we’ll have a sea change over the next couple of days and get back on point.
“We go from playing really well in the semi-final to an insipid performance tonight. I defend the players to the hilt, but I can’t defend that tonight.”