Kris Commons has denied Ronny Deila’s claims that Celtic played with fear when crashing out of the Champions League to Malmo.
The Hoops’ 2-0 defeat at the raucous Swedbank Stadion on Tuesday sent the home side through 4-3 on aggregate with the Parkhead manager surprising many by describing his side as “scared.”
But Commons, who replaced Stuart Armstrong for the start of the second half with Celtic trailing 1-0 and having had a goal by Nir Bitton controversially chalked off, was at odds with the Norwegian as to the reasons for the defeat.
“I wouldn’t say it was fear,” Commons said. “I don’t think we played with fear. When you’ve just got the one goal you’re thinking that if you can get a clean sheet or draw then you’re through, so it’s a completely different outlook.
“They came into the game knowing that they needed a goal, whereas as we were trying to do just enough to keep a clean sheet. But if we had come in at half-time at 1-1, when we scored from a corner, then it puts a completely different complexion on the game. But it wasn’t to be. Balls weren’t quite falling for us and we got done by a couple of set-pieces.”
The former Derby and Nottingham Forest player denied personally feeling the pressure. “No, I didn’t feel stressed,” he said.
“I think it’s a stressful night because you know what’s waiting for you if you get through, but coming here with a one-goal lead put a big importance on the first goal. It wasn’t to be. They took their chances and certainly put us under pressure.”
While the Champions League post-mortem gets under way, Commons turned his sights on winning the domestic treble as well as going on a run in the Europa League, with the draw for that competition due on Friday.
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