Martin Keown, a revered figure at Arsenal, has issued a stark warning to Celtic, cautioning them against deluding themselves into believing they can compete with the top clubs in the Champions League. The Scottish champions suffered a nightmarish defeat at the hands of Bayern Dortmund, conceding seven goals as Kasper Schmeichel faced a relentless onslaught. Despite Dortmund’s dominance, Celtic’s humiliating display underscored their struggles against elite European opposition, with Brendan Rodgers left to face the music following previous heavy defeats to Barcelona, PSG, and Atletico Madrid.
Keown did not mince his words in criticizing Celtic’s collapse in Germany, attributing fault to Rodgers, the players, and even the level of competition they regularly face in their domestic league. Speaking on the TNT Sports’ Goals Show, Keown emphasized the necessity for Celtic to adapt their tactics and approach, noting that their dominance in the Scottish Premiership leaves them unaccustomed to dealing with being on the back foot.
The Arsenal great stressed the collective responsibility shared by Rodgers and his players, urging them to learn from their European failures and make adjustments going forward. Keown highlighted the disparity in quality between Celtic and the European powerhouses they face in the Champions League, cautioning against underestimating the challenge posed by such formidable opponents. In his assessment, it is imperative for Celtic to acknowledge and address this discrepancy in order to avoid further humiliation on the continental stage.
