Celtic 'not at that level yet', says Ange Postecoglou
Celtic drop into the Europa Conference League after defeat to Bayer Leverkusen
Last updated 18th Mar 2022
Ange Postecoglou praised his Celtic players after they went close to pulling off a win away to Bayer Leverkusen - but admits they're not yet at the level of their opponents.
The Hoops led 2-1 until the 82nd minute but ultimately lost 3-2 to the Bundesliga side as their hopes of Europa League progress were ended by the concession of two late goals in Germany.
They will drop into the Conference League after Christmas, with their sixth and final group match against Real Betis at Celtic Park next month now effectively a dead rubber.
Nonetheless, Postecoglou was proud of the way Celtic competed against a Leverkusen side he admits are currently on a different level to his own.
He said: "It is a tough one to take. We kinda hung in there and gave ourselves a chance to pull off a great result but ultimately they're a good team and we didn't finish the game off in the way we could have. Credit to the players because Leverkusen are a fantastic team and we came to their back yard and gave them a game.
"We weren't able to control the game the way we wanted because they have quality in their side and they're always a threat on the counter-attack so we had to be a bit wary. We hung in there and Joe (Hart) made some good saves.
"The back four worked really hard to keep us in the game and then we got our goals. We just couldn't hang on in the end which was disappointing for the players because they put in a massive effort but there's still a gap between us and them, and that's what we need to bridge."
Although they have lost three of their five matches so far, Postecoglou has been pleased with the way Celtic have tried to play on the front foot in the Europa League. He believes they will only get better the more they face top European sides.
He said: "In all our European games we've taken it to some very good opponents. We know there's a gap between us and the best but we'll bridge that gap if we keep taking this approach whenever we play these teams. They (Leverkusen) knocked us off 4-0 at home but we gave them a bit of a fright here. Hopefully next time the gap's even smaller."
Postecoglou felt his team did their travelling support justice with their efforts in the BayArena.
The manager said: "The fans were unbelievable. I'm hoping in their disappointment they walk from here tonight knowing the guys in the green and white hoops gave everything for them tonight. I can't fault the players - they gave me everything."
Celtic Managers
Founded in 1888, Willie Maley was Celtic's first manager and one of the most successful managers in Scottish football history. He managed the club from 1897 to 1940, winning thirty major trophies (16 league championships and 14 Scottish Cups).
Jimmy McStay (circled) managed Celtic between 1940 and 1945. However, this clashed with the suspension of the League and Scottish Cup during wartime, meaning he never had the opportunity to manage the club in official competitions.
All-time leading goalscorer in top-flight British football Jimmy McGrory managed Celtic from 1945 to 1965. He won one First Division trophy, two Scottish League Cups, two Scottish Cups, four Glasgow Cups, one Coronation Cup, one Saint Mungo Cup and four Glasgow Charity Cups.
Jock Stein managed Celtic from 1965 to 1978 and guided Celtic to nine successive Scottish League championships between 1966 and 1974. He also won one European Cup, eight Scottish Cups, six Scottish League Cups, five Glasgow Cups and one Drybrough Cup.
Billy McNeil managed Celtic from 1978 to 1983. McNeil won three Scottish League titles, one Scottish Cup, one Scottish League Cup and one Glasgow Cup.
McNeil returned from 1987 to 1991 where he won one Scottish League title and two Scottish Cups.
David Hay managed Celtic from 1983 to 1987 and won one Scottish League title and one Scottish Cup.
Liam Brady managed Celtic from 1991 to 1993 but failed to win any trophies.
Lou Macari managed Celtic from 1993 to 1994 but he failed to win any trophies.
Tommy Burns managed Celtic from 1994 to 1997 and he won one Scottish Cup.
Wim Jansen managed Celtic from 1997 to 1998 and won One Scottish Premier Division Title and One Scottish League Cup.
Jozef Venglos managed Celtic from 1998 to 1999 but did not win any trophies
John Barnes managed Celtic from 1999 to 2000 but did not win any trophies.
Kenny Dalglish managed Celtic in 2000 and won one Scottish League Cup
Martin O'Neil managed Celtic from 2000 to 20005 and won three Scottish Premier Leagues, three Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup.
Gordon Strachan managed Celtic from 2005 to 2009 and won three consecutive Scottish Premier League Titles, one Scottish Cup and two Scottish League Cups.
Tony Mowbray managed Celtic from 2009 to 2010 but failed to win any trophies.
Neil Lennon managed Celtic from 2010 to 2014 and he won three Scottish Premier League titles and two Scottish Cups.
Lennon returned from 2019 to 2021, where he won two more League titles, two Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup.
Ronny Delia managed from 2014 to 2016 where he won two Scottish Premierships and one Scottish League Cup.
Brendan Rodgers managed Celtic from 2016 to 2019 where he won two Scottish Premierships, two Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups.
Ange Postecoglou took over as Celtic manager in 2021 and has won a Scottish League Cup.