The week began stuffed with optimism and zeal.
Celtic had been dealing with a decidedly inferior staff and overwhelming favourites to progress, Rangers had been down however decided to not be out, Aberdeen had fought again at Pittodrie to have even footing of their tie, and Hibs had been able to make some historical past.
Finest-laid plans and all that…
Celtic huffed and puffed in opposition to Kazakh aspect Kairat Almaty, however they had been unable to even come near discovering the again of the online in a blunt show.
Regulation time was stuffy, extra-time was turgid, and the penalties had been remarkably unremarkable.
Adam Idah, Luke McCowan and Daizen Maeda all missed from the spot as they suffered one of the ignominious defeats of their historical past.
Subsequent up, Russell Martin's Rangers.
Trailing 3-1 to Membership Brugge after an almighty shambles from the primary leg at Ibrox, they had been outsiders however retained a fighter's probability if they might discover their footing.
Brugge, as a substitute, discovered the again of the online six occasions with out reply as most of the travelling punters determined it was time for the top coach to vacate his place.
It was 9-1 of an combination scoreline for the tie as followers branded Martin a “coward” with some swiftly common banners.
A humbling and a hammering thus far.
