Source: Team_Talk
Loovens: We got what we deserved
A fortunate deflected goal by William Gallas and Gary Caldwell's own goal consigned Celtic to a 2-0 play-off first-leg defeat at Celtic Park on Tuesday night.
Celtic had looked like comfortably holding Arsenal before a Cesc Fabregas strike bounced off the back of Gallas and spun into the net in the 43rd minute.
But Celtic failed to sustain any attacking threat and never troubled Manuel Almunia in the second period.
And their wastefulness in possession almost saw them concede several times just after the restart as Arsenal missed several opportunities after being gifted the ball in Celtic's half.
In the end Arsenal settled for two after Caldwell turned Gael Clichy's 71st-minute cross past Artur Boruc and Loovens admitted they could have no complaints about the result.
"We weren't good enough on the ball," the Dutchman said. "We didn't give much away, the two goals we conceded were very unlucky and we could have prevented them, but we weren't good enough on the ball so I don't think we deserved anything from this game.
"We knew they would pressure us straight away when they lose it high up the pitch. We knew that before the game, they are a top team. They made it very hard for us."
While Scott Brown tested Almunia with a low strike just before the opener, Loovens felt Celtic did not start well in an attacking sense.
"We felt we had everything under control so it's a hard pill to swallow," the former Cardiff defender said.
"I don't think we lost confidence. When we had the ball, it wasn't working for us. We were sloppy even with 10-yard passes and that's not normally like us.
"So we couldn't get into the game. Like I said, we didn't give much away but to win a game you need good possession and to create chances, which we didn't."
The defeat was the second in a row for Celtic at Parkhead following their 1-0 loss to Dinamo Moscow in the previous round.
And, although the Hoops turned that tie around in impressive
fashion in Russia, Loovens admits the Emirates Stadium next Wednesday will be a much tougher task.
"No disrespect to Moscow, but Arsenal are a better team," the 25-year-old said. "It's going to be even more difficult in the second leg but there is still everything to play for and let's hope we score a quick goal.
"I never go into a game thinking of not losing heavily. If I go out on to the pitch I want to win and that's not going to change."
The own goal topped off a difficult week for Caldwell, whose red card in Oslo sparked a Scotland collapse that led to a 4-0 World Cup defeat by Norway.
Caldwell then missed the 3-1 victory over Aberdeen through suspension but Loovens has tipped him to bounce back when Celtic host St Johnstone on Saturday.
"The second goal, these things happen in football, but it's a bitter pill to swallow," Loovens said. "He has character and he is a good footballer, so he will come back strong."
