Celtic's Gary Caldwell said lessons would have to be learned after the Scottish champions crashed out of Europe following a 2-1 defeat to Aalborg on Tuesday.
Celtic, who have now taken just one point from 18 away matches in the Champions League, needed a point to be in with a chance of being involved in European competition beyond Christmas.
But the loss means the Danish champions will take third place and the UEFA Cup spot in Group E with Manchester United and Villarreal qualifying for the last 16.
Scottish defender Caldwell, whose late own goal cruelly sealed the win for Aalborg, says his side hadn't been good enough in Europe this season.
“I think we should be better than Aalborg. I think we did enough at certain times but you have to be better than that away in Europe,” Caldwell said.
“You have to be able to see the game out when you are 1-0 up and they are going to throw everything at you.
“We weren't good enough on the night and we haven't been good enough in the campaign. We have to deal with that and we have to get better from it.”
Both Aalborg's goals came from deflected efforts from Celtic players completely against the run of play.
But the defender refused to blame this bad luck for his side's European exit and said Celtic would have to come back stronger next season if they were to qualify for the last 16 again.
“These things happen in football if you don't do the right thing – if you don't pass the ball well enough, keep the ball in their half and dictate the play when you're in front,” Caldwell said.
“We didn't do that and we let them back into a game they shouldn't really have been involved in.
“We have got to take a lot from this campaign and try and learn from it. We've been in the last 16 the last two years and we know how good it is.
“We want to be there but unfortunately this year we've paid the price for some sloppy performances. We will have to come back next year stronger.”
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, in charge of his 25th European tie, will rue his side's missed chances as the Parkhead club's travel troubles continued.
Manchester United's goalless draw in Villareal means they both qualify for the last 16 with Aalborg claiming third spot.
Celtic had started brightly and Barry Robson gave them a well deserved lead.
But Aalborg struck back with a deflected goal from midfielder Caca and then a late own goal from Caldwell.
Celtic broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute through Robson.
The midfielder, who had missed a penalty when the two sides met at Parkhead, beat Martin Pedersen to a Mark Wilson cross from the left and fired a bullet header past the helpless Karim Zaza into the net.
Aalborg got back on level terms after 73 minutes.
Midfielder Caca unleashed a shot from 30 yards which took a wicked deflection off a Celtic player and looped over Artur Boruc and into the net.
Celtic's hearts were broken when Caldwell scored an own goal in the 88th minute. Andreas Johansson fired a cross in from the right which Glenn Loovens attempted to clear but it came off Caldwell and flew past Boruc.
Substitute Cillian Sheridan came close to connecting with a cross in the final minute but the Danish champions held on.
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