Gabby Agbonlahor blasts Celtic after ’embarrassing’ loss as Rangers point made
Rangers fans might be able to take some satisfaction from the fact that Kairat beat Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Brendan Rogers’ team being sent to the Europa League after losing the play-off tie on penalties on 26 August must have surely been the highlight of recent weeks for those in G51.
Russell Martin will have his own worries against Club Brugge on 27 August in the second leg at the Jan Breydel Stadium as the Gers look to overturn a 3-1 deficit.
While a win in Belgium seems unlikely for the Light Blues, they may be able to take some consolation back home.
Rangers have tougher Champions League tie compared to Celtic
Celtic’s loss against Kairat may be one of their most “embarrassing” results in recent years, Gabby Agbonlahor says.
The former Aston Villa forward believes the Hoops were lucky to get a team ranked 311 in the world from Kazakhstan, compared to the challenge the Gers faced at Ibrox.
Agbonlahor feels Celtic must have been rubbing their hands when the draw came out, but they have now crashed out of the Champions League after failing to invest in their team this summer.
Speaking on talkSPORT on 27 August, the Englishman said: “You look at the team Celtic could’ve played. Rangers have got a hell of a tie, even before they lost the first leg. Club Brugge would’ve been the favourites. Better side, Champions League experience last season as well. But to get the tie Celtic have got, you would’ve been rubbing your hands.
“Celtic board [must have thought], ‘Yes, this gamble might pay off. We’re not going to bring too many players in. We will still get the Champions League money because of the draw’. Look at the other teams you could’ve got — Feyenoord, Benfica, Brugge. Then you get a team that’s ranked 311 in the world from Kazakhstan, and you’ve lost. Got one of the most embarrassing results in recent years.”
Read More: Rangers could be hours from ‘significant’ financial blow that’s Russell Martin’s doing
Russell Martin has no excuse for not beating this Celtic side
Martin could potentially be fighting for his future at Ibrox, with the Old Firm derby set to take place on 31 August in the William Hill Premiership.
Once the dust settles at the Jan Breydel Stadium, the focus will shift towards the Gers’ domestic prospects as they sit six points behind Celtic after three league games.
Burgge will undoubtedly be the favourites in the Champions League second leg, and the Scottish manager will have to pull out a miracle to qualify for the group stage of the competition.
- Martin has won just three of his nine games this season.
- The Gers have kept just two clean sheets under the new management.
- If the Light Blues lose to Brugge, they will drop down to the Europa League.
Rangers fans could change Martin’s fate sooner rather than later after walking out of the game against the Belgian outfit in the first leg as their team shipped three goals in the first 20 minutes.
While Celtic are leading the pack in the William Hill Premiership, they haven’t looked anywhere near their best, and Rodgers has shown frustration with their lack of business this summer.
On the other hand, Martin has certainly been backed by the Gers’ hierarchy after making 10 signings in the ongoing transfer window, and results are needed to vindicate the decision to appoint him.
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