BLAME ME,’ SAYS BRAVE BHOY KOLO TOURE

BRAVE BHOY Kolo Toure took the blame for two dreadful errors that saw Celtic topple to a 2-0 defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach that all but ended this season’s Champions League dream.

The 35-year-old Ivorian centre-half gifted the Bundesliga outfit both goals in a miserable second-half and the visitors snapped them up to leave the Hoops bottom of Group C with one point after three games.

Brendan Rodgers’ side now face a trip to Germany in just under a fortnight and will complete the group with a tie against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in December.

In between, they have to take on Barcelona and Lionel Messi who struck an effortless hat-trick in the Catalan giants’ 4-0 triumph over Guardiola’s men at the Nou Camp last night.

Toure, signed by his former Liverpool boss Rodgers after being released by the Anfield outfit in the summer, was needlessly robbed of possession and that allowed Lars Stindl to fire the visitors into the lead before the hour mark.

And he was punished again 13 minutes from time when a sloppy pass was intercepted and Andre Hahn was allowed to race through before leaving Craig Gordon helpless.

Toure was man enough to hold up his hands and admit he had made some huge errors and was very disappointed with his individual display.

He said: “In that kind of competition, you can’t afford that kind of mistake.

“I have to blame myself because it was a simple action to put the ball to the side. I like to play and give my team the ball, but maybe not there.

“It was the same with the second goal. I’m 35 years old and still making 16 year old’s mistakes.”

Ironically, Toure was rested against Motherwell on Saturday with Erik Sviatchenko and Jozo Simunovic playing beside each other in central defence during the 2-0 win.

The Coatian Under-21 international dropped out for the arrival of Toure last night.

The experienced defender looked troubled by a groin injury near the end of last night’s mishap and could struggle to play in the Betfred League Cup semi-final against Comedy Club Sevco Rangers at Hampden on Sunday.

He should be in no doubt that he enjoys the overwhelming support and appreciation of the vast majority of the Celtic support who realise that Celtic would probably not have reached the Champions League Group Stages had it not been for the calming influence of the big defender.