Super Eagles defender, Efe Ambrose, scored a horrific own goal as Barcelona ran over Celtic 3-1 at the International Championship Cup on Saturday.
Ambrose came up against a star-studded Barcelona team that had the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Arda Turan playing for the first time after the summer break.
As expected, the Catalans took the lead after just 11 minutes through Turkish midfielder Turan.
Brendan Rodgers watched his team level up the match just before the half hour mark, when striker Leigh Griffiths found the target.
But the lead lasted just a couple of minutes, before Ambrose scored an unbelievable own goal for Celtic.
His howler was particularly disappointing when taking into account no opponent was in the area to pose much of a threat.
The 27-year-old turned the cross into his own net under no pressure whatsoever to the amazement of fans at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
This follows another error in the 1-0 defeat to Lincoln Red Imps in the UEFA Champions League qualifier over a fortnight ago.
The final goal of the match came in the 40th minute as Munir El Haddadi made it 3-1 to the Spaniards.
When asked about the Nigeria central defender’s performance after the game, Rodgers could only take pity on the former Kaduna United man.
“He’s an unlucky guy, bless him. I think that a striker would’ve been proud of that goal.” Rodgers said.
“He was so unfortunate. I thought he actually done okay at times. He’s in a decent enough area, the ball gets whipped in, but there’s no real danger. For it to come his leg that far outside of the post and go in the far corner was disappointing, especially after getting back into the game. But sometimes these things happen, and in the main he did okay.”
Rodgers was then asked about the reaction from a section of the Celtic supporters when the defender was substituted.
Rodgers said he hadn’t heard boos or cheers at the time, and defended the Nigerian international.
The second biggest cheer of the day from Celtic fans as Ambrose is taken off #CelticBarca
— SportsJOE.ie (@SportsJOEdotie) July 30, 2016
“If it was that I didn’t hear it myself, but if it was, it wasn’t nice,” the Northern Irishman said.
“Whatever his faults are, he’s a real good guy who gives his all for the club. He devotes his life to Celtic, he prepares well, he trains well, he doesn’t cheat. He trains every single day, he’s a man who wants to get better. I would like to think the Celtic supporters will support every player that plays, whether that’s Efe or anyone else. Once they pull on the green and white jersey, everyone needs that support.”
Barcelona will now travel to the Swedish capital, Stockholm for a Wednesday meeting against Premier League champions Leicester City, where they’ll hope to keep up their head of pre-season steam.
Celtic, on the other hand, have just a week remaining until they kick off their Scottish Premiership campaign against Hearts next Saturday.
Ambrose’s place in Rodgers’ team might be threatened by the signing of former Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City defender, Kolo Toure.
