Callum McGregor has admitted Celtic were trying to prevent their defeat at Ibrox from turning into an even heavier beating once Rangers went 3-0 up.
Celtic were well beaten in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final on Sunday, with Rangers running out 3-0 winners after goals from Dan Neil and Kevin Kelsy.
Speaking to the Daily Record, McGregor said: “Yeah, you don’t want fours and fives for sure. As soon as the goal went in, then I’m saying to Cam (Carter-Vickers) and (Liam) Scalesy, ‘Look, no more goals, we have to just tighten this up’.”
It is a revealing admission from the Celtic skipper and shows just how far the game had slipped away from his side by that point.
Rangers had already taken control of the contest physically and territorially, with Celtic struggling to play through the home side’s press and failing to recover properly when possession was lost.
McGregor explained that while Celtic still wanted to find a way back into the match, there was also an awareness that the damage could become much worse.
He added: “Of course… want to get back… but understand circumstance…”
The midfielder was also clear on the difference between losing heavily and allowing the game to completely run away from them.
“Well beaten at 3-0… if it starts to run at fours and fives… different ballgame.”
That is perhaps one of the most concerning parts of Celtic’s afternoon at Ibrox.
By the latter stages, the focus had shifted from finding a route back into the tie to making sure the scoreline did not become even more damaging.
The captain also admitted that recent defeats in major matches have become a growing issue, with Celtic now under pressure to respond quickly.
Martin O’Neill’s side face Ferencváros at Celtic Park on Thursday before Rangers visit Parkhead again on Sunday in the Premiership.
That gives Celtic two immediate opportunities to show that what happened at Ibrox was not the start of something more serious.
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