‘Exposed’: Micah Richards reacts to Celtic’s Champions League defeat to Leipzig

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Micah Richards has claimed that Celtic were ‘so unlucky’ during their 2-0 Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig on Tuesday night, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (11/10/22 at 10:15 pm).

The former Manchester City defender added that Celtic ‘pushed and pushed’ during the 90 minutes, but they were just left ‘exposed’ by the German side.

That defeat, which leaves Celtic at the bottom of Group F with one point, now means that they are out of this season’s Champions League, despite a few weeks remaining of the competition.

Just like the Bhoys did against Real Madrid a number of weeks ago, they started the game in a typical frantic, aggressive and attacking fashion.

But they just didn’t have the composure or cutting edge to open the scoring, which could have made things very, very interesting. 

In the end, it was ex-Chelsea man Timo Werner who punished them with his composure and ruthless nature in the final third, as Richards shared his thoughts on the game.

“This was a game and a half,” said Richards. “Celtic were so unlucky. They pushed and pushed. But they left themselves exposed at times.

“That man, Werner, who had such a bad time in the Premier League and with Chelsea, he really showed up. He didn’t only get a goal, but he got an assist as well. 

“His runs in-behind. Finding the little pockets. Linking up with Silva. It was a really entertaining game to watch.”

EUROPA LEAGUE FOOTBALL?

That’s the aim for Celtic now and they have to win their remaining games, as well as hope other results go their way, in order to secure Europa League football.

Whilst fans will be disappointed in them getting knocked out in such a manner, it needs to be remembered that, even compared to a team like Leipzig, the financial gulf is pretty big.

The Scottish Premiership champions have to make sure that they are in the Champions League again next season, and continue that sequence, because they haven’t done that for a while and that’s what will help them to improve.