"Now that Celtic's doomsday scenario has come true - ignominy in Almaty - there should be a reappraisal of the club's most egregious and self-inflicted exits in Champions League qualifiers in the last dozen seasons or so. Maribor, Malmo and AEK Athens. CFR Cluj, Ferencvaros and FC Midtjylland. All wounding, all the cause of introspection and fury. Some of those clubs had a big claim on being the greatest European bogey that caused the most damage to Celtic and the delusions of grandeur they have of themselves"
"Take those exits from the Champions League, multiply them by Rodgers' wretched defeats by Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund and still you do not hit the cringe factor of these ties against a Kairat side that a properly functioning Celtic would expect to beat. No goal in 210 minutes of football, three missed penalties in the shootout, a couple of golden chances wasted across the two legs and more than 40m wafting away in the air in Kazakhstan."
Celtic suffered a humiliating elimination by Kairat Almaty, failing to score in 210 minutes and losing on penalties after three missed spot-kicks. Historic prestige and Champions League atmosphere have masked repeated, self-inflicted exits against lesser-known European opponents over recent seasons. The club delayed squad refreshment while banking on qualification, leaving the team exposed. Responsibility sits with players, manager and board as collective failings produced squandered chances and significant financial loss. The result highlights declining standards on and off the pitch and underscores urgent need for accountability, strategic recruitment and restoration of competitive standards.
Read at www.bbc.com
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