Celtic have been eliminated from the Champions League after a heavy defeat at home to Dynamo Kyiv. The 3-0 loss at Celtic Park on Wednesday night sealed a 5-1 aggregate exit in the play-off round.
Dynamo Kyiv took control of the tie early in the second leg, scoring twice before the hour mark to extinguish any hope of a Celtic comeback. A third goal late on compounded a miserable European night for the Scottish champions, who were chasing the game from the moment they conceded the opening goal.
Manager Brendan Rodgers described the performance as unacceptable. "We were well below the level required," Rodgers told reporters after the match. "We have to be much better, it's as simple as that."
The result means Celtic drop into the Europa League group stage, a competition they last won in 2003. Their European fate for the season is now confirmed, with the draw for the Europa League groups set for later this week.
This early exit represents a significant setback for Celtic's ambitions on the continent this season. The club had targeted a return to the Champions League group stage, where they last competed two seasons ago. The financial implications of missing out on the competition's group stage revenue are considerable.
Attention now turns immediately to domestic duties, with a Premiership match against Hearts at Tynecastle this Sunday. The squad list for that trip, and the rest of the season, is available on our squad page. Rodgers and his players must regroup quickly to maintain their strong start in the league, where they currently sit top of the table.
