talkSPORT host Jason Cundy has said Celtic "disgraced UK football" following their 4-1 Europa League defeat to Benfica in Lisbon. The former Chelsea defender also pushed back against claims that Celtic and Rangers remain bigger than most clubs south of the border.
Celtic's European Struggles Continue
Martin O'Neill's side sit third from bottom in the Europa League standings after the loss in Portugal, having previously been beaten 3-1 by Ferencvaros at Parkhead last month. Celtic had earlier crashed out of the Champions League play-off with a 5-4 aggregate loss to LASK in August.
The Hoops now face further ties against Celta Vigo, Besiktas, Torrense and Omonoia as they attempt to reach the Europa League knockout phase.
Scottish Clubs' Mixed European Campaign
Earlier in the season, Rangers failed to qualify for any European competition after being knocked out of the Europa League by Jagiellonia Białystok and then by Jablonec in the Conference League. Hearts suffered defeats to Sturm Graz and Benfica but progressed past Rapid Vienna on penalties to reach the Conference League, where they were denied three points in their league phase opener after conceding a late equaliser to FC Nordsjælland.
Cundy's Criticism and On-Air Exchange
Speaking on his Sports Bar show on talkSPORT, alongside Charlie Austin, Cundy said: "Celtic, I don't know why they bother. You know when you were in the playground (in school) and you need 11 players. Scottish clubs are always the last to be picked when you need another body. And again, they have disgraced UK football. What's the point? They were smashed by Benfica tonight and it's the same old, same old story."
Later joined by Si Ferry, Paul Slane and Andy Halliday from the Open Goal podcast, Cundy admonished the trio for suggesting Celtic and Rangers are bigger than most clubs in England. He stated: "Do you know what, in a thousand years time, there will be some idiot like you sitting there saying exactly the same thing, and nothing will have changed. You can't live off history, you make history. You can't keep doing this."
Asked how many clubs in England are bigger than the Old Firm, Cundy exclaimed: "Every one of them! Because you lot live in a bubble. You live in a bubble in Glasgow. Everyone in Newcastle thinks they are a massive football club, they are not. You are the Newcastle of the North. You guys are big in Glasgow, that's it."
