RONNY DEILA slammed a “stupid mistake” by blundering Efe Ambrose which prevented Celtic from taking full points from Fenerbahce in their Europa League qualifier last night.
The Hoops were in command and leading 2-0 after two goals in four first-half minutes from Leigh Griffiths and Kris Commons.
But a woefully weak back-header by Ambrose, so often the fall guy, allowed substitute Fernandao to pull a crucial goal back just before the break.
And, just after the interval, the powerful Brazilian outjumped a static Ambrose to a left-wing corner-kick to rescue a point that had looked beyond the big-spending Turks.
Deila, whose team also threw away a 2-0 lead against Malmo in their Champions League qualifier earlier this season, said: “I think we played well in the first-half, although we were a little bit nervous at the start. However, after 10 and 15 minutes we were more comfortable on the ball.
“We started to play and put in some crosses and created two very nice goals.
“I think we had good control over them, but, of course, we made a stupid mistake which happens in football, but you get punished when you are in Europe.
“We started the second-half poorly and then they get 2-2 from a set-play. That is something we need to sort out, for sure.
“We finished the game better and we got some crosses in, but we didn’t create enough chances during the 90 minutes.
“I am disappointed, but happy with the effort of the team because we had a good chance to win the match.”
However, Hoops fans will find it difficult to forgive Ambrose, who also gifted Juventus two goals when they knocked Celtic out of the Champions League two years ago.
The Nigerian was also sent off in the 4-1 hammering from Legia Warsaw in a Champions League qualifier last season.
