Celtic midfielder Kris Commons feels that the Hoops were undone by their excessively cautious approach in their Champions League playoff encounter against Malmo and has denied claims they were frightened.
Last night, the reigning Scottish champions suffered a 2-0 defeat in the second leg of their Champions League playoff clash at the hands of Swedish giants Malmo and exited the tournament after a 4-3 aggregate loss.
Commons feels that it is wrong to suggest that the Bhoys crumbled under pressure at the Swedbank Stadion as the payers in the team are all vastly experienced. His comments come despite boss Ronny Deila dubbing his men "frightened".
"We have lads that have played in the Champions League, Europa League, international football”, he was quoted as saying by the BBC.
"This was a big game but I wouldn't say there were boys that were scared of the challenge.”
relatedNewsStory
The Hoops took a 3-2 win from the first leg at Celtic Park and as a result, they were excessively cautious in their approach, the midfielder thinks.
The indecisiveness over whether to attack or sit back and protect the lead cost Celtic heavily, Commons feels.
"I think when you've just got the one goal [lead] you're thinking 'a clean sheet or a draw and you're through'.
"They [Malmo] came in needing goals and came out on the front foot whereas we were perhaps just trying to do enough to keep a clean sheet."
Celtic will now be competing in the group stage of second tier European competition the Europa League.
