Scottish football is not a joke, says Celtic star

Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley launched a passionate defence of Scottish football on Friday after another week of European misery.

Celtic’s 2-1 defeat in the Champions League ended their interest in Europe while also extending their winless run away from home in the competition to 18 matches.

Rangers, Hibernian, Queen of the South and Motherwell all failed to win any of their European ties this season.

If Celtic lose to Villarreal in their last Champions League game here on December 10, it will result in the worst season ever for Scottish clubs in Europe.

But Hartley believes the critics of the Scottish game are wrong to mock the standard on display.

“You guys have been criticising Scottish football,” he said.

“I didn’t see you criticising it last season when we got to the last 16 of the Champions League and Rangers got to the UEFA Cup final.

“Of course, we are all disappointed but that’s just the way football goes at times.

“But it’s all the criticism of Scottish football that comes with it.

“Look at our home form, we are undefeated in the Champions League.

“Okay, everybody talks about the away form but we were unlucky on Tuesday, we lost two bad goals from two deflections so of course the players are disappointed to lose the game.

“There are expectations at this club but you have to look at the bigger picture.

“First and foremost you have to win the SPL to get into the Champions League.

“Then you are playing against top-quality teams who spend millions of pounds.

“There are probably 10 to 12 clubs in the Champions League who are top class.

“Are we expected to beat Manchester United at home? Are we expected to beat AC Milan at home?

“This season we came up against the holders in Manchester United, and Villarreal, who are a top-notch team.

“We tried to beat Aalborg. We were 1-0 up and we were cruising, we could have had two or three but we lost two bad goals.

“These things happen in football.”