Pundit Paul Robinson believes Celtic’s defeat to Bodo/Glimt on Thursday could be ‘damaging’ for the rest of the season, Football Insider report.
The Lowdown: Hoops have it all to do
Celtic fell to their first defeat of 2022 in the week, losing 3-1 to the Norwegian champions at Parkhead.
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That has left Ange Postecoglou’s side with it all to do ahead of the second leg on Thursday, with the winners advancing to the last 16 of the competition.
The Hoops are yet to win a knock-out tie in Europe after Christmas since 2004 and now have it all to do against Bodo/Glimt, who are yet to get their own domestic campaign underway.
The Latest: Robinson’s comments
Robinson, who contributes for beIN Sports, was talking to Football Insider regarding the Parkhead defeat.
He labelled the loss as a ‘massive surprise’ and believes the Hoops may now feel the effects ‘behind the scenes’ between now and May.
“Celtic, 17 unbeaten, I feel that it’s an embarrassing result. I feel like they’ve let themselves down because that momentum has just been broken.
“They need it so badly right now. This is a crucial stage of the season and that kind of result can be damaging in the changing room and coming into the next fixtures.
“They must have done their homework on teams and how they play. They’re Norwegian champions and, to be honest, they’re on their winter break. They’ve not played for God knows how long.
“That goes to show how bad Celtic must have been when it comes to defending and managing the game.
“It was a massive surprise to me. I felt that it was a foregone conclusion with the result and Celtic would be coming out victorious. “But then again, when you drop your levels of performance, when you drop that concentration, you don’t respect the opposition, maybe, to an extent and you’re going in there a little bit too cocky, these results can happen.
“They can be damaging behind the scenes for the rest of the season and to the upcoming games. That confidence has been smashed out of you.”
The Verdict: Changes needed?
Celtic have been brilliant following the winter break, so hopefully, Thursday’s display was just a one-off and not a sign of things to come.
The Hoops will have nothing to lose in the return leg, and providing every player comes through Sunday’s clash with Dundee unscathed, Postecoglou may go for an all-out attack approach in Norway.
Reo Hatate and Giorgos Giakoumakis may end up coming back into the starting XI after being left out at Celtic Park, whereas switching Josip Juranovic to left-back and bringing Anthony Ralston in at right-back could give the Hoops more attacking influence from full-back.
Celtic have all the ingredients to overturn a two-goal deficit, but every player will need to perform to a higher standard for that to materialise.
In other news: Celtic source – Ange gives green light to out-of-window exit for ‘arrogant’ ace after talks.