Wednesday night’s clash between Celtic and Lazio in the Champions League was a rollercoaster of emotions for the Hoops faithful. Despite a 2-1 defeat, the match offered several takeaways that could shape the team’s future in European competitions. Here’s a look at three key lessons learned from the night.

Celtic’s Commitment and Quality Shone Through

First and foremost, Celtic’s performance was nothing short of commendable. The team displayed a level of application and quality that had the fans on the edge of their seats. Kyogo Furuhashi’s opening goal was a moment of sheer brilliance that had the Celtic Park crowd dreaming of a famous victory. Unfortunately, the team couldn’t capitalise on that momentum to add more goals, but the effort and quality were there for all to see. It’s a testament to the team’s potential and a sign that, on another night, the result could have been different.

A Game of Fine Margins

Football is often a game of inches, this match was no exception. Celtic had a goal disallowed due to an incredibly marginal offside call against Daizen Maeda. The touch that led to the offside was so slight that it left fans and players alike in disbelief. Pedro’s subsequent goal for Lazio only added salt to the wound. These are the fine margins that can decide matches at this level, and unfortunately for Celtic, luck wasn’t on our side this time.

The Learning Curve Remains Steep

While the performance was encouraging, the harsh reality is that Celtic has now won just one of their last 23 matches in the Champions League. We often hear that the team will “learn from this,” but the cycle of European disappointment continues. By the time the next Champions League season rolls around, there will likely be new faces in the squad who will have to go through the same learning process. It’s a frustrating pattern that needs to be broken if Celtic are to make a meaningful impact on the European stage.