Ange Postecoglou's full reaction to Celtic losing Real Madrid 'arm-wrestle'

How would you assess the match and performance?

Obviously disappointed with the outcome. I thought the first goal in the game was always going to be important and up until that point I thought we were well in the game if anything we had the better chances. You need to capitalise on them and we didn't. Once a goal went in they had the quality to take control of the game. We tried to press on and they were able to then exploit the space as we left so as I said, I think up until sort of the 60-minute mark when they scored I thought we were well in the game but you learn at this level that you'll get punished if you don't take your chances.

Do you take pride in the performance for the first hour?

I just feel the responsibility of bringing this football club to this level. That's what these fans deserve. I mean, there's no starker reminder than the reception they gave us after the game. They deserve to see their football club competing against the likes of Real Madrid on regular basis and really competing so I feel that responsibility and I want to sort of get us up to this level so that this club, these fans, get what they deserve.

What's the biggest takeaway for you from this evening?

For us as a team you don't need a reminder that it's fine margins when you're playing against the best and when you have opportunities you need to take them. That was evident today - if we score the first goal, put some pressure on them, they need to open up and we can take control of the game. And we had the chances, I mean it's different if you don't have the chances and if you don't create anything or the opposition have got your pinned back then there's stuff you can learn. But I think what we learned today we already knew: that we've got to be just really clinical in both boxes.

See enough from your team to suggest that you can do well in the group and the games to come?

Every game is going to be hard, it's the Champions League. I don't think the next game is going to be any different. There's going to be fine margins we've just got to make sure we end up on the positive side of the ledger.

READ MORE: Detailed Celtic player ratings as Postecoglou's brave Hoops go down 3-0 to Real Madrid

How are the players in the dressing room? Do they share your disappointment or are they taking the positives that they were level with Real Madrid in the first half and perhaps even better in the first 45 minutes?

No, they're disappointed. As I said, we understand the responsibility we have when you represent this football club and now we all have all of us want to compete at the highest level and when you're not successful, there's no other way to feel but disappointed. And it doesn't mean that wasn't through a lack of effort or lack of commitment or belief. The boys gave everything they could but, if you want to bridge that gap, you've got to be disappointed with a night like tonight and make sure that you come back stronger next time.

What does this say about the progress your team has made then, given your playing the European champions and you're disappointed?

I don't think it's a measure of progress, I think it's just a measure of what our ambitions are. I've made no secret of the fact that I want us to be a Champions League football club and that means competing at this level on a regular basis and competing against the best. It's sort of our first foray into it for a few years and I want us to make up that ground as quickly as possible.

Were the players getting tired?

I don't think so. We were still pressing. I don't think it was a physical thing - like I said at this level it's fine margins and it's a mental thing where the game's really tight, an arm wrestle, and we've got some good chances. Then they score and they can relax a little bit and get comfortable. We need to chase the game and when you're chasing the game against a good quality team that have the ability with the football that they have to control the tempo and you're kind of chasing it a little bit. So I don't think was a physical thing. I just think in this game if we had scored first, it would have put some real pressure on and really asked them some questions - we didn't do that.

Do you feel optimistic that you'll be able to hold your own in this group and maybe get to that level really quickly? 

I feel determined, not optimistic. I feel that responsibility. I want us to be a Champions League football club. And for that to happen we've got to come out next week. It's going to be a tough game. It's going to be fine margins but we've got to learn from that and try and be more clinical in those kinds of areas. So it's not about being optimistic or pessimistic about it it's about being determined to bridge that gap.