The results might have been similarly sore but the contrast in reactions at the end could not have been more different. Gio van Bronckhorst confessed it would take hundreds of millions for Rangers to compete in the Champions League.
Ange Postecoglou made no mention of money, only his burning desire to prove his Celtic side can provide a bang for their buck among Europe’s elite. The difference didn’t go unnoticed by fans of both clubs. Van Bronckhorst – already copping flak for the Old Firm demolition – was understandably searching for excuses after Ajax gave his men the runaround.
Postecoglou could have been forgiven for patting his team on the back for giving Real Madrid a run for their money. Instead, the Aussie seemed almost downbeat his Celts couldn’t find a way to maintain the sensational start and actually defeat the European champions. There’s no guarantee Celtic’s stance will be successful in this campaign but there’s no doubt they won’t change for any one.
