KRIS COMMONS today admitted Celtic looked out of their depth at times against Ajax last night.

The midfielder also conceded they fell miles below the standard they have set or is required when they failed to fire in the Amsterdam ArenA.

He was bitterly disappointed by the lack of cutting edge, and pulled no punches in his assessment of the performance.

Commons said: "I think that's one of the first games where we really did lack belief going forward.

"The first half was probably one of the worst we have seen, attacking-wise.

"Sometimes you can half accept it if it's in the SPFL the week after one of these Champions League nights.

"But, for the lads who felt fresh and played Ajax two weeks ago and beat them, we lacked confidence going forward.

"There are not many times we have come to one of these occasions and not performed at a proper level.

"Coming in 0-0 at half-time flattered us, really, because we didn't pass the ball well, we didn't look inventive.

"We had no imagination going forward, and we were losing the ball too easily.

"We looked a little bit out of our depth.

"But, second half, when they did score, we were looking more on top."

Commons agreed the goal from Lasse Schone on 51 minutes appeared to fire up the Hoops, but found this no consolation.

He said: "That's the last thing you need, because it is very difficult to score not only at home, but certainly away from home.

"We came out with the bit between our teeth after the break, and, if other things had gone our way in the final third then we could have come away with something."

The only consolation was that AC Milan lost 3-1 to Barcelona and remain just two points ahead of Celtic in second spot.

"Barcelona will take a lot of beating, so there was no surprise Milan didn't take anything from that game," said Commons.

"The Nou Camp is a very difficult place to go.

"But for now we have got it all to do at home against AC Milan, and we're looking to win."

Commons tried to put the defeat in context and added: "A lot of people went to Holland hoping we were going to beat Ajax. But, that's not like going to Hearts or Hibs or Ross County away.

"You are coming to one of the most elite clubs in Europe, and there was a bit of a reality check that, we beat them a couple of weeks ago, but you can't just turn up and play."