Celtic were not brave enough in their Champions League last-16 first leg defeat to Barcelona, according to midfielder Barry Robson.The Hoops twice led in a pulsating tie through headers from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Robson, who was making his debut in Europe's premier cup competition following his January transfer from Dundee United.

But two goals from the outstanding Lionel Messi and another from Thierry Henry handed the visitors a richly-deserved 3-2 win to put them in control ahead of the second leg in a fortnight's time.

Robson said on Sky One: "It's an excellent Barcelona side. I think they were outstanding, loads of great players and they're hard to play against.

"I don't think any of us were good enough tonight.

"I thought we could have done a bit better at home, individually and collectively as a team.

"It's quite hard to get the ball off them.

"We need to be braver, everyone needs to be braver. It's a bit of a learning curve for us."

The defeat was Celtic's first at home in the Champions League since 2004, when they were undone by the same opponents.

They must now create more history - winning their first away game in the competition - if they are to progress.

Robson said: "We've got to try. We know it's going to be hard at the Nou Camp against Barcelona.

"Hopefully we can have a better return leg."

Barca assistant boss Johan Neeskens was delighted with the outcome, saying: "Of course, we came over here to try to win and if that happens, we're very happy with the result.

"It's very difficult to play at the pitch of Celtic because of results they've had before.

"Over the whole 90 minutes, I think we have controlled the game."

And like Robson, Neeskens refused to accept the return leg was a formality, adding: "No, because there is still a game to go. We have to take it very seriously."

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan admitted his side were "nowhere near" their best.

He said on Sky Sports News: "We're playing against one of the best teams in the world.

"When we had the ball, we were not keeping it long enough.

"The game has been played for 150-odd years now, it doesn't change. The team that passes the ball well usually wins the game of football."

Strachan was honest about his side's prospects of a shock second-leg win.

"I wouldn't put my house on it," he said.

"I've worked too hard over 35 years to get a house. I wouldn't bet that!

"But we'll go there, try as we did tonight, try and score goals.

"We've showed we can score goals. So you never know."

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