John Hartson has called on Celtic fans to get behind Ange Postecoglou and his team, after reacting on Twitter to a ‘disappointing’ defeat away to Real Betis in the Europa League.
The Hoops began their Group G efforts at the Benito Villamarin Stadium, but lost 4-3 on Thursday evening. Albian Ajeti and Josip Juranovic had opened the game in perfect fashion with goals in the 13th and 27th-minutes. But Juan Miranda and Juanmi pegged them back.
Borja Iglesias added to his assist by scoring in the 50th-minute to hand Los Verdiblancos the lead, before Juanmi scored again three-minutes later. Postecoglou’s makeshift XI strived to fight back in Seville, but could not find an equaliser after Anthony Ralston’s late header.
Defeat to Real Betis meant Hartson’s former side, Celtic, are still without a win in Spain in 19 attempts. The Hoops looked set to end that record with a promising start after two swift counter-attacking goals. However, it was not to be, with Iglesias catching Cameron Carter-Vickers out when attempting to play the Spaniard offside for Juanmi to score the equaliser.
Iglesias again benefited from some poor defending when the Hoops gave Sergio Canales far too much space. While Juanmi controlled David Turnbull’s attempted clearance to hand Real Betis an unassailable lead, on a night of frustration for former Celtic striker Hartson.
“First 35 mins, Celtic looked comfortable and had good possession,” Hartson said. “Lapse in concentration cost us, to score three in Europe away from home and lose is disappointing! Lots of changes and the guys who came in did well. We go again.”
“Poor scoreline yes, but let’s get behind Ange and the team. We know where we need to get better,” he added.
Can Celtic bounce back from Real Betis defeat to progress in Europa League?
Celtic sit third in Group G after losing at early leaders Real Betis, with Bayer Leverkusen also beating Ferencvaros 2-1. The Hoops will want to start building some momentum in their next Europa League fixture against Leverkusen on September 30.
Hartson will also hope defeat to Real Betis does not disrupt Celtic’s Premiership campaign when they visit Livingston on Sunday. Postecoglou’s side sit fifth after claiming three wins in their opening five league games. They lost the season-opener 2-1 at Hearts after losing at Midtjylland in the second-leg of their Champions League second-round qualifier.
The Hoops also lost the Old Firm derby at Rangers last month after defeat at AZ Alkmaar in the second-leg of their Europa League play-off. Celtic, and Hartson, will hope history does not repeat itself on Sunday with an away league defeat following an away European loss.
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