Ange Postecoglou has provided an injury update on attacker Liel Abada as Celtic exited the Champions League.
The Celtic star hobbled off with just minutes of the first half to play after a collision that left him unable to continue. He joined an ever-growing list of absentees for the Scottish champions with influential skipper Callum McGregor injured in last week's Champions League meeting between the two sides in Germany. Jota also missed out on tonight's Parkhead showdown while Carl Starfelt remains a long-term absentee.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Giorgos Giakoumakis are just off the injury table with the 21-year-old. the latest to hobble off. James Forrest came on to replace the Israel international for his 450th appearance for the Hoops. Abada - who went straight up the tunnel following the knock - was back out on the bench to walk his team-mates in the second-half.
READ MORE: Celtic land two UEFA fines as Rangers and Hearts also hit in the pocket by governing body
However, it was a night to forget both on and off the park for the Israeli and his team-mates as RB Leipzig netted twice in the final 15 minutes to end Celtic's hopes of reaching the last 16 while also creating a major uphill task to end the section in third and with that land a Europa League spot.
Speaking about Abada to BT Sport, Postecoglou said: "I don't think it is anything serious. I think it is more of a dead leg than anything. So hopefully nothing too serious."
On his assessment of the game, he added: "The emotions are disappointed. Disappointed for our supporters and the lads. I felt it was a game we were well in but the story of our campaign so far, missed chances have cost us.
"We've come away with nothing again unfortunately but I can't fault the players application or endeavour and they are disappointed too because they know we had some opportunities tonight to get the result we wanted and we didn't take them.
"We just have to keep persevering. It is understandable our supporters will be disappointed. We are disappointed.
"But you are not going to progress or improve by walking away from what you are trying to build. We have come a long way in a very short space of time and we want to sort of keep developing at the same rate but when you are playing at the highest level as we are today you understand that it takes more than just endeavour and effort. You need to keep applying yourself and putting yourself in those positions. We will keep doing that, we won't shy away from the kind of football team we want to be."
READ NEXT:
- Joe Hart makes brilliant Celtic gesture to Premiership star as he's named idol of opponent
- Celtic and Rangers key Champions League matches handed grim outcome by Charlie Nicholas
- Lewis Morgan continues American dream as former Celtic star scoops Player of the Year in New York
- Steven Gerrard could hand Celtic cash windfall as Aston Villa set their transfer sights on Dembele
- Odsonne Edouard fires post-Celtic doubters a message as Patrick Vieira praises relentless striker
