CELTIC have conceded a colossal THIRTY-ONE goals in 16 European games during Ange Postecoglou’s reign.
The Hoops defence has averaged the loss of two goals per match since Vasilis Barkas flapped hopelessly at a free-kick to present FC Midtjylland with an equaliser in the manager’s first competitive encounter at Parkhead on July 20 2021.
The game ended 1-1, the £4.5million Greek keeper, now on loan with FC Utrecht, never played another European tie, Scott Bain replaced him for the return in Denmark a week later and was beaten twice as the visitors lost 2-1 after extra-time to exit the Champions League qualifier.
GREEK TRAGEDY…Vasilis Barkas makes a mess of attempting to keep out a free-kick to gift FC Midtjylland their equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Parkhead in July 2021.
Postecoglou has witnessed his team claim three shut-outs – all in the east end of Glasgow – and on the plus side they have netted 27 goals – while they failed to score on only three occasions, twice at home.
The Greek-Australian gaffer steps onto the European rollercoaster again tonight when they take on RB Leipzig in Germany in Group F after losing to Real Madrid 3-0 at home which was followed by a 1-1 draw with the Ukrainians of Shakhtar Donetsk in Warsaw.
Apart from one occasion, Joe Hart has been the man in charge of the gloves since his £1million arrival from Spurs on August 3 last year and went straight into the team two days later for the 4-2 victory over FK Jablonec in the first leg of the Europa League qualifier in the Czech Republic.
PAIN IN PRAGUE…Scott Bain looks disconsolate after conceding the fourth goal to Sparta in November 2020.
Bain played in the 3-2 win over Real Betis in December last year, but the 75 times-capped England international No.1 has been given the nod for the other 13 Euro excursions.
In Neil Lennon’s last crusade as Hoops chief, the team conceded 21 times in nine games to bring the total in the past three terms so far to an embarrassing 52 goals lost in 25 games.
Here are the scorelines from the past three European campaigns – if you are of a nervous disposition, CQN recommends you look away now.
SEASON 2022/23
Real Madrid (0-3)
Shakhtar Donetsk (1-1)
SEASON 2021/22
FC Midtjylland (1-1 and 1-2)
FK Jablonec (4-2 and 3-0)
AZ Alkmaar (2-0 and 1-2)
Real Betis (3-4 and 3-2)
Bayer Leverkusen (0-4 and 2-3)
Ferencváros (2-0 and 3-2)
Bodo/Glimt (1-3, 0-2)
SEASON 2020/21
KR Reykjavik 6-0
Ferencváros 1-2
Riga 1-0
AC Milan (1-3 and 2-4)
Lille (2-2 and 3-2)
Sparta Prague (1-4 and 1-4)
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from RB Leipzig v Celtic this evening – only in your champion CQN.
