Jan Molby: Celtic's away record makes them European also-rans

Nov 30 2008 By Mark Guidi

JAN MOLBY has kept a keen eye on Celtic ever since they stunned his world-class Ajax side with incisive attacking play in Amsterdam 26 years ago.

But the Danish legend had to peek through the cracks between his fingers last Tuesday as the Scottish champions sunk to a depressing low on the road in Europe's showpiece tournament.

Molby can't believe how Celtic's Champions League away form has plummeted so drastically - and reckons they're now top level also-rans.

The 2-1 defeat in Aalborg means the Hoops have lost 17 out of 18 group games on the road.

But the rot set in long before. Not counting qualifiers they have won only twice away from home in the European Cupin more than two-and-a-half decades.

The most recent victory was in 1986 - 1-0 at Shamrock Rovers. Before that it was a fantastic 2-1 triumph in Amsterdam thanks to goals from Charlie Nicholas and George McCluskey.

But a measure of how far Celts have fallen since then came in 2005 when they suffered a 5-0 drubbing at Artmedia Bratislava in qualifying.

Former Anfield hero Molby was at the game in midweek and can't believe Gordon Strachan's men are losing to such mediocre opposition.

He said: "I played against Celtic a couple of times in friendlies with Liverpool. They were good experiences because of the links between the clubs.

"The only competitive match was for Ajax in the old European Cup in 1982.

"We drew 2-2 in Scotland in the first leg and thought that would be enough.

"But somehow Celtic won 2-1 in Amsterdam. We had Johan Cruyff and Frank Rijkaard playing for us and Marco van Basten was a sub - all quality players.

"It was a fantastic achievement for Celtic to win and it's fair to say that was their last big success away from home in the main competition.

"To see them now unable to win on the road saddens me. I keep an eye on the big two clubs in Scotland because of their worldwide fan base.

"But the current Celtic team is a million miles away from the highest level."

Molby reckons the only way to improve is for Strachan to spend and add quality to the squad.

He said: "It's always about better players because they win you games.

"Shunsuke Nakamura showed quality in midweek even though he wasn't fully fit and Scott McDonald has good movement.

"Gary Caldwell also played well in central midfield. I know it is difficult to attract top players to Scotland and Celtic can't buy the best.

"But they shouldn't have to rely on an untried kid like Cillian Sheridan coming on in a game with so much at stake.

"Celtic took the lead and should have seized the chance. Instead they looked nervous. It must be a devastating blow to lose to Aalborg and go out of Europe.

"It was the same when Rangers lost to Kaunas. What's that all about?

"I still find Celtic's defeat so hard to take in. Aalborg were disappointing in the first half - they couldn't get any tempo going and it should have been all over.

"However, Celtic haven't won on the road for such a long time that any team will always feel they have a chance."

The Hoops' humbling is yet another hammer blow to Scottish football after Rangers' embarrassing exit.

Hibs, Motherwell and Queen of the South also fell at the first hurdle and no Scottish side has won in Europe this season in 13 attempts.

In contrast, Aalborg have given the Danish game a massive boost by reaching the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

Molby said: "Copenhagen finished bottom of Celtic's group two years ago but this time it's great for our country.

"We know not to expect it every year because we are a developing league.

"Aalborg players will average around £2000 a week - a long way off the guys on £20,000 at Celtic.

"It just shows money can't ensure success. But it definitely should help."