Draw was fair result, reckons Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen

The Celtic Star

·29 de novembro de 2024

Draw was fair result, reckons Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen

Club Brugge boss Nicky Haven believes a draw at Celtic Park was a fair result on Wednesday evening…

Nicky Hayen, Head Coach of Club Brugge KV looks on, prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The spoils were shared at Paradise on Wednesday night in an open, expansive clash between two of Europe’s most under the radar Champions League sides. Both teams still have a strong chance of reaching the knockout playoff round in February.

Vídeos OneFootball

Tactically outsmarted Celtic in first half

Undoubtedly, the Belgian champions controlled the first 45 and tactically outsmarted Celtic in every aspect. Cameron Carter-Vickers own goal was a summation of a turgid first-half display from the Hoops.

The second-half was a slight improvement, but it was Brugge who created two gilt-edged opportunities prior to Daizen Maeda’s equaliser on the hour mark.

Celtic v Club Brugge – Daizen Maeda scores past Club Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet during the UEFA Champions League, league stage match at Celtic Park on Wednesday November 27, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Maeda’s beautiful finish past Brendan Rodgers’ former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet may prove to be a crucial one for Celtic in the newly revamped 36-team format. Accumulating an admirable eight points from five matches so far, one more win would secure double digit games at Europe’s top table for the first time ever.

Club Brugge has tougher run-in that Celtic

Club Brugge are also in a similar position. Winning two, losing two and drawing once, the Belgians are on seven points and must win one game from Sporting CP (H), Juventus (H) or Manchester City (A) in their remaining three matches in order to seal a place in the top 24.

Impressive in the first half, Nicky Hayen’s men may feel aggrieved that they did not capitalise on an underwhelming Celtic showing. It seems more like a point gained for the hosts, but two points dropped for Brugge.

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic greets Nicky Hayen, Head Coach of Club Brugge KV, ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

1-1 was definitely a fair result

Speaking after the match on Wednesday evening courtesy of Club Brugge’s official website, Hayen said, “I think 1-1 was definitely a fair result. Based on the first half, I even thought we deserved the 3 points and based on the second half, no more. We played well [first half]between the lines and everything we asked for was executed.

“You get a deserved lead and you find the right solutions. In the second half, it is just a little bit more difficult and we lose the ball just a little bit easier. This while in the first half our first ball after recovery was actually good every time and in the second half, it wasn’t.”

It becomes a kind of survival

“Then you see that the people get behind and they get a little more confidence and we find it harder to get out. Then their first best chance is also immediately a goal and then you know it becomes a kind of survival.”

Ferran Jutgla of Club Brugge KV scores a goal which was later ruled out for offside during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Hayen added: “Before the game, we said that Celtic is not just an easy team to put aside either. They proved that in the second half, although we might have been able to put just a little bit higher pressure.”

“They didn’t really become dangerous, so I didn’t want to take any risks by putting more pressure and giving away spaces that they do dive into. Then you might be left with zero points. So in the end I think that satisfaction should prevail.”

Conor Spence