ANGE POSTECOGLOU shared his pride after watching his Celtic players keep playing their style of football despite a heavy defeat to Real Madrid.
The Celtic boss was pleased to see his players not alter their playstyle against the reigning Champions League winners at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Postecoglou did concede his team were beaten by the better team in Spain.
"I never fear the worst because we're still trying to play. I'm really proud of our players," said Postecoglou after the Champions League group stage loss.
"I mean, we've lost 5-1 and we understand that against a fantastic football team but the players never stopped trying to play.
"They created I don't know how many chances but Thibaut Courtois was outstanding.
"So I don't fear for anything with this group of players.
"You know, at the end of the day, we've lost to a very good football team but I'm still proud of their efforts."
And the Celtic boss reckons his side will be difficult to compete against domestically if they match their performance levels from the Champions League campaign.
Despite taking just two points from the six group stage matches, Celtic impressed in spells against Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk.
For Postecoglou, the Champions League experience will only benefit his players as he insisted they'll be hard to match in the Scottish Premiership if they carry their performance level from European competition into domestic action.
"If we perform like that, like we have been, then we will be hard to stop in the league," he said.
"It took an enormous effort tonight for our boys to try and match it with one of the best football teams in the world.
"But if we go in there with that intent every week, we'll will be hard to stop."
