Caldwell: Euro exit not down to bad luck

GARY CALDWELL insists it is simply “too easy” to blame bad luck for Celtic’s European exit after defeat against Aalborg on Tuesday night left them still looking for a first away win in the group stages of the Champions League after 18 attempts.

Gordon Strachan’s side deservedly took the lead in the 53rd minute at the Energi Nord Arena through a Barry Robson header and, after six seasons of travel with only one point to show for their group stage efforts, it looked like their away-day hoodoo would finally end.

However, the Scottish champions managed to find a new way to lose in Europe, albeit it in the cruellest of circumstances. The Danish side equalised in the 73rd minute when Caca’s 25-yard drive deflected off skipper Stephen McManus before looping over Artur Boruc.