Celtic thought they could take a wrecking ball to the Yellow Wall but instead found themselves crushed by a Bundesliga bulldozer.
Brendan Rodgers‘ side had high hopes of springing a major Champions League shock at the Westfalenstadion – but instead it was the same old story as the Hoops suffered yet another Euro shocker as Borussia Dortmund ran riot. The 7-1 hammering was a sobering result for Scotland’s champions but many Celtic fans have been left perplexed by their manager’s gung-ho approach against last year’s finalists.
David Bryce, Troon, raged: “Celtic are an absolute embarrassment in Europe! Spare me this top team and elite manager nonsense. Both statements are utterly false. We have seen this movie so many times under the inept Rodgers. Our so-called skipper is miles short at that level also and don’t start me on Auston Trusty and Kasper Schmeichel. Absolutely embarrassing!”
Arrin Geddes, Irvine, said: “Rodgers’ system leaves the two centre-backs badly exposed and Karim Adeyemi just ran riot in the space behind Greg Taylor. The warning signs were there against Falkirk and not heeded. Rodgers hasn’t learned much from previous doings against quality teams.”
Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, emailed in: “I never visualised Celtic taking anything from the Dortmund match but going toe to toe in their own back yard against the Champions League runners-up was a massive tactical blunder on Rodgers’ part and resulted in the most embarrassing Euro loss since Rangers’ humiliation at Ibrox against Liverpool. A defensive action plan must now be put in place for the Atalanta match or I fear another bloody nose is on the cards.”
Kenny Wilson, Moffat, added: “Another embarrassing night for Celtic in Europe which once again they brought upon themselves. So many individual errors and, as always, playing far too open with a huge gap constantly appearing between midfield and defence Quality teams will always take advantage of that kind of space.
“Dortmund were very good and clinical but Celtic are miles off that level and they need to learn to make it difficult for opponents to play against them instead of making it simple but how many more big defeats before we learn our lesson. Rangers fans are quite rightly laughing at us.”
The German word ‘schadenfreude’ translates as a ‘pleasure derived by someone from another person’s misfortune’. And it was an emotion which quickly spread through the blue half of Glasgow.
Chris Lowe, Yoker, couldn’t get to the phone quick enough as he cackled: “Hats off to the Gallowgate Globetrotters who have now lost 70 away games in Europe since the year 2000. With five first-half goals conceded, the record-breaking Japanese sensations, £11million Belgian penalty taker and a scattering of future £30million-rated players simply cannot compete outwith Scottish football without their pet officials.”
John Davidson, Kirkintilloch, added: “Beating Dortmund obviously isn’t for everyone. From riding on the crest of a wave against sorry St Johnstone to being torpedoed by das boot of BVD. And here was me thinking a bridge too far was in Arnhem.”
Alan Flett emailed in to take a pop at one of our regular callers, saying: “Gordon Ashley was spot on when he said there was no comparison between Dortmund v Celtic and Dortmund v Rangers from two years ago. I cannot wait to hear his excuse for his team’s latest European humiliation.
Henry MacInnes, Stornoway, said: “Can I remind Gordon Ashley that Erling Haaland wasn’t playing on Tuesday either…”
Jimmy Strangers, Tranent, said: “To Hotline callers Ashley, Moffat, McSherry and Little, read this and weep. You lot have been bragging for weeks you are in the elite cup. Well after last night’s performance you are not even good enough to play in the Mickey Mouse cup as you lot call it. Down to earth with a bang!”
Stuart Pearson said: “No matter what competition you are playing in, a pumping is still a pumping none the less! As for the great midfield of Paulo Bernardo and Arne Engels, enough said! Please stop embarrassing yourselves with your anti-Rangers comments and focus on your own mess guys.”
Wullie Graham, Bristol, called to say: “I thoroughly enjoyed watching Celtic getting humbled and humiliated by Dortmund last. It was a huge wake up call for them realising they are not as good as they think they are. Beating teams like St Johnstone 6-0 ,who are the same level as League 2 in England, means nothing.
“When you step into the big boys playground, you will get found out big time. Dortmund lost their best player through injury and took off three of their best players in the second half. The final score could have been 10 or 12 such was the gulf in class between the teams.”
Neil Renton, Leith, said: “It’s about time that Scottish clubs pleaded with UEFA not to be included in any European competitions going forward. Celtic being arrogant and thinking they can play one of the best teams on the continent as if they’re a bottom six Scottish side only to get humiliated is just another nail in the coffin. We sent our best team to compete on the big stage and it ended up being Men v Bhoys.”