Celtic Football Club News

• Nickname:The bhoys, The hoops
• Founded:1888
• Manager:Neil Lennon

• Ground:Celtic Park
• Capacity:60,832

Mowbray: Arsenal were better

27 Aug 2009 - 07:42:35

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Celtic manager Tony Mowbray admitted Arsenal were comfortably the better side following their 3-1 Champions League qualifying defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

The Hoops lost their two-legged play-off encounter by a 5-1 scoreline and will play in the Europa League rather than Europe's premier club competition this season.

Massimo Donati's stoppage-time consolation was the only moment of cheer for the travelling fans in London.

"You cannot deny that over the two legs, Arsenal had more quality and deserved to go through," admitted Mowbray.

"The first goal was always going to be crucial. If we had got it, you would have had a more interesting spectacle.

"The fact that Arsenal scored it allows their real high quality players to relax a bit more and play at their own pace.

"When you try and play high up against such quality players, you are asking for trouble.

"That is the way it panned out. But I could not question the desire and effort of my team."