Celtic manager Ronny Deila says his team were frightened in Euro defeat
Wednesday 26 August 2015 10:38, UK
Ronny Deila claimed his Celtic side looked "frightened and scared" during the 2-0 Champions League defeat by Malmo.
Leading 3-2 from the first leg of their play-off clash in Glasgow, the visitors fell behind on 23 minutes to a goal from skipper Markus Rosenberg who was banned for the first game.
Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton then had the ball in the net from a corner, only for Serbian referee Milorad Mazic to award a foul to Age Hareide's side.
Malmo grabbed their second goal with a header from substitute Felipe Carvalho on 52 minutes which Hoops defender Dedryck Boyata could only divert over the line.
Celtic's manager was scathing about his side's performance, which leaves them in the Europa League for a second straight season.
Deila said: "It is quite simply not even close to the level we can be at. We looked very uncomfortable on the ball, we didn't want the ball.
"We looked very frightened and scared and that is very disappointing. We did it as a team, not as individuals.
"It was a team performance not at the level we can expect at this level. I am a part of that, I am leader of this team. That is my responsibility and I am very disappointed.
"We have to learn from this, evaluate this and get stronger but it is a difficult lesson. Malmo deserved to go through.
"There is a lot of talk in Scotland about Celtic and the Champions League and that makes the games even bigger and it seemed like we didn't cope with that pressure."
