The Scottish champions beat Hapoel Be’er Sheva on Wednesday in a thrilling game at Celtic Park.
Celtic’s Tomas Rogic celebrates scoring their first goal with Leigh Griffiths and Scott Brown
Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has admitted to the Daily Mail that Celtic would have crumbled against Hapoel Be’er Sheva last season.
The Magpies took on the Israeli side on Wednesday in the first leg of the Champions League play off clash.
It proved to be an interesting game to say the least, as the Hoops raced into a 3-0 lead in the first half and looked to have wrapped the game up.
Celtic’s Scott Brown celebrates scoring their fifth goal
However Be’er Sheva hit back in the second half with two quick-fire goals to leave the Scottish champions reeling and fearing the worst.
They composed themselves though, adding another two goals and winning the game 5-2 to all but confirm their place in the group stages.
Celtic’s Tomas Rogic celebrates scoring their first goal with Scott Sinclair
At one point it looked like things would be going very differently though and Griffiths has admitted that last season they would have crumbled.
“When they started scoring, I’m sure everybody thought ‘not again’” he told the Daily Mail.
“We could have crumbled and I think a year ago we would have. We were probably thinking the same. But we had to keep going and stick together – that’s what great teams to do. The boys showed great character.”
It now remains to be seen if Celtic can secure their place in the group stages of the competition after this positive win.
They will be confident of doing so but will know that they cannot take the second leg for granted, especially after the second half of this game.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
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