Rebrov stunned at lack of striker for home side
FERENCVAROS manager Serhiy Rebrov last night admitted he was amazed Celtic didn’t play with a specialist centre forward in their Champions League qualifier at Parkhead.
Rebrov’s opposite number Neil Lennon fielded Ryan Christie in attack after Odsonne Edouard was ruled out due to a thigh injury and left Albian Ajeti and Patryk Klimala on the bench.
Christie netted a deflected secondhalf equaliser for the Scottish champions – but the home side passed up a raft of scoring opportunities and crashed out before the group stages for the third season running.
Lennon revealed before kickoff than neither Ajeti, who only joined from West Ham in a £ 5m transfer a fortnight ago, or Klimala was fit enough to start.
But former Spurs and Ukraine striker Rebrov, whose side won 2- 1 and progressed to the third round thanks to a first- half David Siger strike and a breakaway winner from Tokmac Nguen, expected the Northern Irishman to put his faith in one of them.
“I was really surprised they didn’t play with a recognised striker, because they had two strikers on the bench,” he said.
“Their plan was to find fast players between the lines. Most of the time we were defending, but we didn’t give Celtic too many chances. They had some problems in defence. We tried to go for counter attacks. Tokmac is very fast and he used it for the winning goal.
“We played against the strongest team we have played in Europe. Maybe they didn’t shoot enough. I’m very glad for my players.”