This was their second consecutive defeat in the competition, having previously lost 3-1 to Ferencvaros. The defeats leave Martin O'Neill's side third from bottom in the league-phase standings.

Jason Cundy, speaking on talkSPORT’s Sports Bar, criticised Celtic's performance and questioned the merit of Scottish clubs in European competitions. Cundy said: "Celtic, I don't know why they bother.

"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."

He further challenged the position of Celtic and Rangers in the broader football sphere during a discussion with Si Ferry, Paul Slane, and Andy Halliday from the Open Goal podcast.

The former Chelsea defender dismissed the notion that the Old Firm clubs are more significant than most of their English counterparts.

Cundy said: "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."

When asked how many English clubs he believes surpass Celtic and Rangers, Cundy replied: "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."