He’s on a six-month loan from Crystal Palace but his deal with the EPL outfit expires at the end of the season
Jeffrey Schlupp’s Champions League moment was over before he knew it.
But the Celtic loan star hasn’t ruled out hanging around a little longer at Parkhead to sample it all over again. The Crystal Palace full-back only made his loan move to Glasgow a little more than a week ahead of this month’s play-off first-leg clash with Bayern Munich.
But he was flung in for his first Euro start as Brendan Rodgers took his Bhoys to Bavaria hoping to snatch a win that would have propelled the Hoops through to the last 16. The dream looked on after Nicholas Kuhn’s strike fired Celts ahead on the night – only to be cruelly snuffed out when Alfonso Davies grabbed the goal that put Bayern through with the last kick of the ball.
It was a heartbreaker for Schlipp, who said: “It’s obviously back to reality now! I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re really proud of ourselves. The ending was horrible, to be honest. It was a bit surreal to be fair because we drew on the night against Bayern Munich.
“We did something, right but to concede that late was tough. It was really tough to deal with but football can be cruel sometimes and you have to pick yourself up and then go again.
“Everyone says how special the European nights are, especially. I was obviously looking forward to that.
“I knew the games were there before I came here, and I would have a chance to be involved in them, which was obviously a big draw as well. But again, we want to win the league. That’s the main thing.
“That bit’s out of the way now, unfortunately. So full focus is on the league with the game tomorrow then hopefully we can wrap the league up as soon as possible and then win the cup too.”
The Eagles defender has flown north on a six-month deal but with his Selhurst Park deal set expires this summer, there is uncertainty on where the 32-year-old will be next season. “That’s out of my hands,” he admitted. “Right now, the full focus is on the league and the cup, of course. Whatever happens after that, we’ll see, but nothing’s been mentioned.
But it’s a great place. I’m having loads of fun. Everyone’s been great with me. It feels like I’ve been here for years already with how everyone’s made me feel welcome. In that sense, it’s been great. I’m having fun, so we’ll see.
