BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand believes Celtic’s inability to compete financially with other Champions League clubs is the main reason behind their struggles in the competition.

Ferdinand feels that RB Leipzig are not a particularly great team, but the fact that they call upon the likes of Timo Werner and Christopher Nkunku means they possess players who are simply a cut above:

“RB Leipzig aren’t great shakes in Europe but they have Timo Werner who’s £50million – not a failure but he’s gone back to where he came from – and Nkunku could be potentially a £60million player for Chelsea. It’s a different level of budget and a different level of player. Scottish football – it is where it’s at and it’s been shown in the Celtic-Leipzig game where it’s at.”

Finishing was again the main issue for Ange Postecoglou‘s side against Leipzig. While the Hoops were profligate in front of goal, their opponents were clinical when given opportunities.

Some of that is down to the quality of the player, but you’d also have to argue that there was a lack of composure on show. You do feel that Celtic are capable of competing at this level but you can’t keep making the same mistakes.

If they do return to the group stages next season, you would hope that the Scottish champions have learned some important lessons from this campaign.