Ange Postecoglou’s vow after Celtic’s Champions League reality check

Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic has been beaten for the first time this season in losing to the reigning club champions of Europe.

Celtic players acknowledge the crowd after their 3-0 loss to Real Madrid. Picture: Andy Buchanan / AFP

Ange Postecoglou says he owes it to Celtic’s loyal fans to lift the club to the level of Real Madrid following the Hoops’ 3-0 UEFA Champions League loss to the Spanish giants at Parkhead.

Second-half goals from Vinícius Júnior, Luka Modric and substitute Eden Hazard secured the reigning European club champions victory in front of a 57,000-strong crowd in Wednesday morning’s Group F clash.

The loss was Celtic’s first defeat in all competitions this season following a perfect start to the Hoops’ Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup campaigns.

Goalscorer Vinicius Junior gets the better of Celtic’s Matt O'Riley in Real Madrid’s 3-0 win at Parkhead. Picture: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Despite their team’s loss, Celtic’s fans showed their appreciation for the Hoops’ performance throughout the 90 minutes, and it wasn’t forgotten by Postecoglou after the match.

“Our fans were outstanding,” the Celtic manager and former Socceroos coach said.

“This is a special football club and that’s where the responsibility lies on me to get this football club back to where it belongs, and that’s competing against the likes of Real Madrid and playing at this level regularly because that’s what they deserve.”

Despite the visitors dominating possession, Celtic was well and truly in the contest for the best part of an hour, with captain Callum McGregor hitting the post with a blistering first-half strike and substitute Daizen Maeda wasting a good chance early in the second half.

However, Postecoglou’s men came unstuck in the 56th minute when unmarked Brazilian winger Vinicius tapped home a pinpoint cross from Federico Valverde.

“The first goal was always going to be important,” Postecoglou said.

“Right up until that first goal came in we were right in the game. We probably had the better opportunities and we didn’t take them.

“Once they scored, they took control of the game a little bit, we lost our composure and they have the quality to punish you in those moments.”

The Spanish side doubled its lead on the hour mark through veteran Croatian midfielder Modric, whose finish was sublime with the outside of his right foot.

Hazard sealed the visitors’ win from close range in the 77th minute, with Celtic exposed at the back as they pushed forward in a fruitless search for a goal.

Socceroos midfielder Aaron Mooy entered the contest as a substitute for the hosts five minutes earlier as Postecoglou searched for a solution that in the end wasn’t forthcoming for the Scottish champions.

It was also a disappointing Champions League morning for Socceroos captain and goalkeeper Mat Ryan, whose Danish club side FC Copenhagen was beaten 3-0 by German outfit Borussia Dortmund in a Group G clash.

Originally published as Ange Postecoglou’s vow after Celtic’s Champions League reality check