Celtic legend Packie Bonner highlights club’s ‘Achilles heel’ in Europe

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic’s hopes of playing in the Champions League lay in shatters for yet another season this morning after being dumped out by Hungarian side Ferencvaros at Parkhead last night. 

Neil Lennon’s men lost 2-1 to once again find themselves falling short at the qualifying stages. It is the third year in a row Celtic have found themselves in this position, following losses to Cluj last year and AEK Athens the season before. 

It was a game Celtic did not really deserve to lose, wasting several chances as they now face a Europa League third round qualifier. 

For one former Celtic goalkeeper, the problem is clearly in defence. 

Packie Bonner was covering the match as part of the BBC Sportsround coverage and in his eyes the club’s defensive issues remain their biggest stumbling block in Europe. 

“You can create as many chances as you want. If you don’t have good defensive qualities in your team you’ll always be vulnerable. That’s been their Achilles heel all the time in Europe.”

The 60-year-old, who played 642 games for Celtic in his illustrious career, was not wrong in his assessment. 

Celtic’s flimsy defending cost them against Cluj last year and it was much the same last night. Whilst there was little Celtic could do about the first goal, other than Scott Brown getting closer to his man, Hatem Abd Elhamed’s defending for the second left plenty to be desired. 

Whilst Celtic have been improving in attacking areas, it appears the club still need defensive reinforcements if they are to be competitive at this level once again.