Mission complete for Celtic and Brendan Rodgers, but their away form in Europe is an alarming issue which has to be resolved.
Progression to the Champions League group stage was the early objective for Rodgers, but if they want to stay in the competition past Christmas they will have to rectify their issues away from Celtic Park.
Celtic huddle up before the game
To be blunt, after the dull period of Ronny Deila’s reign, Rodgers was hired to deliver big European nights, and his decision-making under pressure ensured that during the difficult moments of their latest tie his tactical changes turned the game Celtic’s way.
The former Liverpool manager brought on an extra striker last week to bring a couple more goals and this week he reverted to three at the back to add more protection in central areas with Kolo Toure, Erik Sviatchenko and Mikael Lustig.
But in three Champions League qualifying away games, the Hoops failed to win a game against underwhelming opposition in Lincoln Red Imps, FC Astana and Hapoel Be’er Sheva, and scoring one goal in the process.
If Rodgers wants to have Champions League nights past Christmas, his side will have to be less tentative when away from home and force the issue to avoid more nervy nights like they endured against Hapoel.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
It isn’t the first time in Europe Celtic have failed to dominate a game with simple passing and good use of the ball and their general possession play has been poor. It enabled the Israeli side to gain momentum in a game which should’ve been out of sight for the home side.
Once the first goal went in, Hapoel’s tails were up and ready to go for the second and third, but it’s up to the players to keep possession, to take the sting out of the game and kill momentum with the likes of Scott Brown, Nir Biton and Callum McGregor to get hold of the ball and gain some control of the game.
Celtic’s Scott Brown celebrates scoring their fifth goal
Too many times last night the home side had Rodgers’ men on the ropes by dominating large periods of the second half as they searched for the third goal with chances from Ben Sahar, Ovidiu Hoban and Maharan Radi falling in Celtic’s favour.
On occasions they lost shape with full back Saidy Janko being exposed allowing balls into the box, thankfully Rodgers’ three man defence held firm and resisted, not allowing them countless chances.
Since the 06/07 season Celtic have featured in 36 Champions League away games (including qualifiers) with 25 defeats and only seven victories. It’s a stat that Rodgers will want to erase.
This experience will help this developing side although with the big guns now coming into the draw, they will have learn quickly if they don’t want an early exit.
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