Subdued support with a sense that Celtic weren’t underdogs

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The Celtic Star

·28 novembre 2024

Subdued support with a sense that Celtic weren’t underdogs

Collectively the Celtic Park crowd was rather disappointing last night. European football is an entirely different story to domestic football. Some should remember that…

Celtic v Club Brugge – UEFA Champions League – Celtic and Club Brugge line up during the UEFA Champions League match at Celtic Park on Wednesday November 27, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

The Celtic Park crowd is a joy to behold on European nights and one of the best atmospheres in world football.

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Last night was no exception, well from before kick off I may add. The emotional wonderful rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone was superbly uplifting as usual, as was the roar when the Champions League anthem rung out.

After that the atmosphere while not falling flat, seemed to disappear and was replaced by moans and groans as the players struggled against a well organised Brugge side during that difficult first half.

Cameron Carter-Vickers appears dejected after scoring Club Brugge KV’s goal with an own goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Yes it’s not pretty to watch, but this is European football, and Club Brugge are a decent side, much better than anything we face domestically, something some fans should bear in mind before venting their anger and frustration at the players.

Club Brugge had long spells on the ball, just as RB Leipzig did, but the only difference is the supporters didn’t get on the players backs, and why was that I wonder? The supporters obviously knew that Leipzig are a decent side and urged the players on despite falling a goal behind and looking a little lethargic for a little spell.

Why didn’t we see that same patience from the stands last night? Well it was pretty clear that Club Brugge were seen as an inferior side to us, and the supporters expected us to come out on top, but that I’m afraid doesn’t happen in European football.

Ferran Jutgla of Club Brugge KV scores a goal which was later ruled out for offside during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

When Celtic are seen as the underdog then the team get more leeway, patience and ultimately backing. However when Celtic are regarded as favourites as they were will so many supporters, then the outcome can be rather different in terms of patience and support.

Club Brugge deserved our respect as did our own players, unfortunately neither happened last night. If Sandman included a rating for the support then I reckon it would have been a 10/10 for the Leipzig game for the support but last night was maybe a 7/10.

Yes Brendan perhaps got his starting eleven wrong. Yep, too many of the players didn’t perform to their best as per the Leipzig game but neither were we at our best. Let’s do better next time!

Just an Ordinary Bhoy