Neil Lennon was lost for words after seeing his former side Celtic concede five goals in the first half against Borussia Dortmund.
Celtic kicked off their Champions League campaign with a thumping 5-1 win over Slovan Bratisalva two weeks ago.
Neil Lennon was lost for words after seeing his former side Celtic concede five goals in the first half against Borussia Dortmund.
Celtic kicked off their Champions League campaign with a thumping 5-1 win over Slovan Bratisalva two weeks ago.
Celtic went down 4-1 in the first half against Borussia Dortmund
REUTERS
But they were quickly brought back down to earth in Germany on Tuesday night with Brendan Rodgers’ side enduring a night to forget.
Emre Can put the hosts in front inside seven minutes after Kasper Schmeichel conceded a penalty.
Daizen Maeda then brought Celtic level within two minutes, but Dortmund regained their lead seconds later when Karim Adeyemi burst through on goal.
Dortmund were unrelenting as they pushed forward for another with Celtic’s defence all at sea and Adeyemi bagged a second on the half-hour mark with a belting strike flying past Schmeichel.
Serhou Guirassy added a fourth from the spot after Celtic conceded a second penalty before Adeyemi completed his hat-trick in style to leave the visiting fans distraught.
Lennon, who won five Scottish Premiership titles as Celtic manager, who felt his former side were showing poor signs after Dortmund’s third goal.
“It’s one of those goals that could have been avoided,” he said after Dortmund’s third.
“We’re not switched on, not physical enough and against quality teams – they are showing their quality going forward that’s for sure.”
Lennon then pleaded with Celtic to try and stop the bleeding after conceding a fourth.
“The game’s gone now and it’s all about damaged limitations,” he said.
“They’re too open and against quality opposition… this is a sobering performance.
“This is real top-class football at the highest level. We’ve all been there and it just shows how far Celtic still have to go as a group.
“But that’s ok, it’s part of the learning.”
And he was lost for words when Adeyemi completed his hat-trick after Maeda gave the ball away.
“I don’t know what to say,” he added.
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“Our best player loses the ball outside the box and Adeyemi, who’s had a brilliant game, nothing else in his mind.
“You can’t do this at this level. I’m sorry, you can’t.
“No matter what level you’re playing at, you can’t lose the football against quality teams like that because that’s what happens.
“Celtic have been ruthlessly exposed tonight. Now it’s all about pride.”