Ange Postecoglou has hailed the Celtic support for the atmosphere created against Real Madrid and says that is why they are a special football club.
The Hoops were back at Europe's top table as they hosted the current Champions League holders in their opening group match. The home side showed in stages that they could mix it and cause problems on their own patch, but a second half masterclass from the Spanish giants showed the gulf in class when playing against the elite sides.
Callum McGregor smashed an effort against the post with the scores level while Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda also had big chances to break the deadlock. It wasn't to be as Vinicius JR, Luka Modric and Eden Hazard netted for Los Blancos in a three-nil win in Glasgow.
READ MORE: Green Brigade hand Celtic Champions League welcome to remember as Real Madrid met by wall of colour
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Players past and present have always been complimentary when it comes to the atmosphere under the lights at Parkhead with former Liverpool and Real Madrid man Michael Owen saying it is the best he experienced in his career while on pundit duty for BT Sport. Postecoglou was in agreement with that assessment and says his job is to give the passionate home support a team they can be proud of and can compete at the top level.
He told BT Sport: "I think this is a really special football club. They've [the fans] shown again tonight why it is so special. Our responsibility is to give them a team they can be proud of and can compete at this level every year. That is our aim."
On his assessment of the game, he added: "Not too bad. First goal was going to be crucial. Up until that point I felt we were well in the game. We probably had the better opportunities and handled their threats really well and caused some problems.
"Once the first goal we went in we lost our composure a little bit and they have the quality to punish you.
"You are not going to get too many chances. We created some really good ones and hit the post I guess but that is the fine margins and they were good enough to capitalise on their ones."
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