CHRIS SUTTON admits Celtic were outclassed in the end by Champions League holders Real Madrid - but the Hoops hero insists his former side showed how far they have come.
Ange Postecoglou's team were defeated by three goals at Parkhead in their group opener against the current holders, but they played their part in the contest.
Celtic dominated large spells of the first-half and had four great chances to open the scoring.
But missed efforts would come back to bite them and goals from Vinicius Junior, Luka Modric and substitute Eden Hazard ultimately split the teams.
Reacting on Twitter, Sutton said: "Celtic outclassed in the second half but take yourself back a year and it’s a team and a club who have made so much progress under Ange Postecoglou.
"Real Madrid were ruthless that’s the difference at this level."
Having weathered an early onslaught from the hosts during which Callum McGregor fired against an upright, Real were dealt a blow when Karim Benzema limped off on the half-hour.
But it was they who broke the deadlock through Vinicius’ 56th-minute strike before Modric made it 2-0 on the hour and Benzema’s replacement Hazard added a third with 13 minutes remaining.
