Arsenal icon Martin Keown cautions Celtic against deluding themselves into believing they can compete with the top-tier clubs in the Champions League following their demolition by Dortmund.
The Scottish Premiership champions endured a nightmarish outing in Europe’s premier competition, with Bundesliga giants hitting seven past Kasper Schmeichel. Celtic’s defensive woes were glaring under the lights at the Westfalenstadion, with Dortmund’s dominance hinting at even more goals that could have rained down had Nuri Sahin’s side been more clinical in front of the roaring Yellow Wall. Brendan Rodgers found himself confronting yet another humbling defeat in Europe, adding to the list of thrashings suffered against football giants like Barcelona, PSG, and Atletico Madrid.
Expressing his disappointment at Celtic’s unraveling in Germany, Keown pointed fingers at Rodgers, the players, and even their domestic opposition. In an interview with the TNT Sports’ Goals Show, Keown emphasized the need for adjustments, stating, “Continuing with the same approach won’t cut it. They failed to adapt. Domestically, they often dominate possession against weaker sides and struggle when out of possession. It’s crucial to learn from this setback, with both the manager and players sharing the blame. It’s a collective effort. They must address this together.”
Keown stressed the futility of trying to match the prowess of European powerhouses, cautioning against disregarding the glaring gap in quality. Reminding all of Dortmund’s recent Champions League final appearance, he urged Celtic to recognize the disparity and make necessary adjustments. “Engaging in a direct battle with these European heavyweights is a losing game. One must acknowledge the distinctions in class, as evident tonight,” Keown concluded.
