Former Celtic star John Hartson has indicated that the Bhoys supporters will not be too bothered about their side's Champions League failure as they only want to win the league title this season.
Celtic failed to qualify for the Champions League group stage for the second season running when they crashed and burned at home against CFR Cluj on Tuesday night.
A shocking 4-3 home defeat to the Romanian side ended their hopes of playing in the Champions League proper and they will now play a qualifier to earn the right to feature in this season’s Europa League.
Hartson believes Celtic deserve all the criticism they are getting for the result as they should have beaten CFR Cluj and played sloppy football to cause their own downfall.
The former Bhoy said on Sky Sports: “I don’t think we have been harsh at all.
“I think it is a game Celtic should have taken care of and they should have put to bed. They were at home and generally Celtic at home in Europe, in the qualifiers, are very strong.
“Tonight I think they were just a little bit lacklustre, they took the opposition for granted and obviously they didn’t defend particularly well and conceded four goals.
“And it has cost them.”
Hartson admits that Celtic will feel the financial pinch of missing out on Champions League football, but indicated that the fans will not be too disheartened.
He feels the Celtic fans’ real target is to win a ninth league title in a row and keep the dream of becoming the first Scottish side to win ten in a row alive.
“Financially, it is a massive blow but from the supporters’ point of view, they have other targets.
“They are going for a historic ninth consecutive title.”
