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Pundits react to Celtic Champions League draw with 'valuable point' quip as trio labelled as poor

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Celtic's Alex Valle looks dejected at full time during a UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Celtic and Club Brugge at Celtic Park, on November 27, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


It wasn't quite the vintage Celtic performance that fans were hoping for, as the Hoops drew 1-1 at home to Club Brugge on a tough Champions League night at Parkhead - but pundits have noted that any point is a 'valuable' point at this stage in the tournament as the group stage moved into its latter stages.

Cameron Carter-Vickers' bizarre own goal put the away side 1-0 up inside half an hour, as the defender rolled the ball to a vacant net after Kasper Schmeichel had moved away from the sticks to show for a backpass, but Daizen Maeda rescued the day with an effort on the hour mark that will be remembered in Celtic circles for months to come.

The spoils being shared leaves Celtic in 20th position in the table, level with Manchester City and Juventus - and you get the feeling that one more win could be enough to secure a knockout round spot.

READ MORE: Kasper Schmeichel shares Celtic own goal blame as Cameron Carter-Vickers' bacon saved

READ MORE: Neil Lennon 'disappointed' with Celtic Champions League showing as Brugge Parkhead-nulling efforts lauded

And with that in mind, pundits have shared their thoughts on what was a tricky night at Parkhead.

Packie Bonner was first to state his thoughts on a poor Celtic performance, with the former stopper saying on BBC Scotland: "Celtic can play better; I was really impressed with Club Brugge - they defended well as a unit in the second half."

Chris Sutton was next, with the Hoops hero being a bit more positive about the draw - saying that Brendan Rodgers' side not losing could be a valuable point in the long-term, before handing out praise to one particular player. He added, via X: "If you can’t win, don’t lose… maybe a valuable point for Celtic. Tremendous goal from Daizen Maeda."

But going against the grain, former Hibs star Tam McManus stated that Celtic were 'outplayed' by their Belgian counterparts - labelling Nicolas Kuhn and Reo Hatate in particular as 'poor'.

He also posted on X: "Celtic take the point and move on. Outplayed for most of the game although finished stronger when Brugge started to tire. Too many players not at it on the night so a good point in the end. As poor as I've seen guys like Kuhn, Engels & especially Hatate."