Going into last nights game, I don’t think many were sure what the outcome of the match against Real Betis might have been, given the number of changes made to the side.
However, it was a positive result for Ange Postecoglou sides, coming away with a 3-2 win against the third-placed side in the Spanish league.
It was a quick start to the game, which appeared to have stunned Betis, as defender Stephen Welsh opened the scoring in the first few moments from a corner.
Speaking in the aftermath of the game, Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini admitted that Celtic ‘surprised’ his side with the manner that they came out of the blocks and opened the scoring within two minutes.
“They surprised us with the goal after two minutes,” admitted Pellegrini, as quoted by HITC.
“We are in the next round, but I am not happy. We had nineteen shots, of which seven or eight were on target.”
Betis defender Martin Montoya also spoke along the same lines as his manager, stunned at the way the Hoops started the game, saying: “We started uncomfortably when they pressed high.”
Last night may have been a dead-rubber fixture to round of the Europa League group stages, but it certainly didn’t feel like that at times.
The majority of those players out on the pitch starting the game must have felt like they had a point to prove – showing that they can provide Ange with some much-needed cover in certain areas of the park.
Of course, fans were left disappointed with the injury sustained to Kyogo Furuhashi. However, there were plenty of positive signs to take away from last nights victory.
