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It was debatable to what extent this match mattered in Celtic’s stuttering season grand scheme. As a club that has taken too much interest in national glory in pursuit of a record-breaking 10th consecutive title, the Europa League has never felt entirely meaningful. When fans arrived at Celtic Park on Wednesday to display a banner demanding the dismissal of coach Neil Lennon, the Scottish Premiership was the benchmark.
With the progression of the Europa League a long shot even before this defeat in Prague, what Lennon couldn’t afford was a major defeat. What happened will only support a feeling, routinely vehement and unpleasant, that a change is needed in the Celtic dugout.
Sparta Prague’s overall success over Celtic now stands at 8-2 in two group games. Celtic’s streak is just two wins in nine games. During the spells, especially in the second half, Lennon’s team was threatening, but the result adds fuel to a bleak narrative. Self-destruction and the awarding of terribly soft targets continue to counter any advance.
It seemed strange to remember that things had started out so promisingly for Celtic. Odsonne Édouard, whose disinterested behavior has been one of several troubling issues for Lennon, demonstrated his talents with a good opening goal. The forward collected the ball as he concluded a quick counterattack before leaving David Hancko feeling like he had just spent an hour on the waltzes. Édouard made a low shot with the help of Florin Nita’s left post.
Celtic remained relatively comfortable midway through the opening period, Scott Bain being called into action only to save a Lukas Julis shot from 20 yards. Any legitimate Lennon concerns could only stem from the latest unfavorable performance from their captain, Scott Brown, who was providing the hosts with far more assistance in midfield than necessary.
Sparta soon leveled up. Celtic failed to clear a routine corner, with David Pavelka stealing ahead of Brown before missing a shot on goal. Hancko, in atonement for his earlier troubles, played on the side and happily scooped up before punching past Bain. Generous defense has been a feature of Celtic’s recent game.
The goal that brought Sparta ahead will be an even more distasteful video for the Celtic defense. A low cross from Borek Dockal from the right somehow eluded two center backs and Bain, with Julis attacking the back post to score. As Ladislav Krejci (# 36) headed a Dockal free kick off a post in first-half injury time, the Scottish champions were gasping desperately for air.[No36)headedaDockalfree-kickoffapostinfirst-halfstoppagetimetheScottishchampionsweregaspingdesperatelyforair[No36)headedaDockalfree-kickoffapostinfirst-halfstoppagetimetheScottishchampionsweregaspingdesperatelyforair
A free throw by Édouard, athletically saved by Nita, and effort by Ryan Christie, who veered off the post, emphasized Celtic’s bullish start in the second period. Édouard missed a glorious opportunity, 25 minutes from time, to tie at his side after showing a curious lack of composure over Olivier Ntcham’s cut.
Sparta capitalized on waste. Hatem Elhamed was unable to stop a counterattack, with David Moberg Karlsson duly crossed for Julis. The striker, surely not believing his luck, scored his fifth goal in two games against Celtic. In injury time, Bain prowled 40 yards from his goal; Srdjan Plavsic dragged the ball around him before adding a quarter from Sparta.
