SORRY BHOYS
Izaguirre admits his red ruined chance of victory
EMILIO IzaguIrrE apologised to his team-mates last night for the needless red card which cost Celtic the Europa League scalp of ajax.
Leading 2-1 in the imposing amsterdam arena after first-half goals from Nir Bitton and Mikael Lustig, the Scottish champions were coasting when the Honduran landed a second yellow card in 73 minutes.
Placed under siege in the final stages by Frank de Boer’s Dutch giants, ronny Deila’s side
emerged with a valuable away point despite sub Lasse Schone’s free-kick leveller six minutes from time. An inconsolable Izaguirre admitted it might have been so much better, however, but for his two bookings in a 17-minute period. ‘I am very disappointed with my red card,’ said the left-back, restored to the starting line-up after missing Saturday’s defeat in Aberdeen. ‘I need to take responsibility for the dropped points. ‘I was worried I had let the team down leaving them with 10 men. ‘I said sorry to the team. It was a big game and we needed to keep 11 men on the field. They accepted my apology and were fine with it because it happens and now I need to be focused and 100 per cent for the next games.’ Izaguirre’s first yellow in 56 minutes was soft. But he admitted he had no defence for the sliding, late tackle which earned his marching orders — just moments after he escaped another offence. ‘The first yellow was hard because I touched the ball first and I stopped the pass but the second I caught their guy,’ he said. Manager Deila believed the red card was a turning point. Asked if he thought Celtic would have won with 11 men, the Norwegian said: ‘Yes, I am sure we would have done that because they didn’t create anything. We were very comfortable and sat in and we could have made changes in the end to be even better in defence.’ Meanwhile, in last night’s other Group A match, Molde pulled off a shock 3-1 win over Fenerbahce in Turkey. Nani scored for the home side but Tommy Hoiland’s penalty and goals from Mohamed Elyounoussi and Martin Linnes gave the Norwegians an unlikely victory.