Celtic’s Women’s Champions League season ended in disappointment on Tuesday night, with a 3-0 loss to FC Twente away.

Following five consecutive European losses prior to their journey to the Netherlands, Elena Sadiku’s team was looking for their first points in the competition but once again fell short at the highest level.

A flurry of first-half goals, the consequence of both offensive skill and defensive mistake, gave Joran Pot’s squad confidence in their quest for a second Group B victory against Celtic.

Sadiku made four changes to the starting eleven that was defeated 3-0 by Real Madrid last week, with goalkeeper Lisa Rodgers and winger Mathilde Rodgers making their Champions League debuts.

Following Celtic’s early set-piece pressure, Twente increased their offensive threat and came close to opening the score in the eleventh minute. Kayleigh van Dooren’s deflected attempt bounced onto the crossbar in the first moment of significant threat.

Five minutes later, Celtic showed fangs of their own when Amy Gallacher found herself open in the area following a beautiful play featuring Emma Lawton, but her effort was expertly blocked.

With both teams previously eliminated from the tournament, there was an initial sense of freedom in an open, end-to-end game, but the home team was more precise in their passing combinations and grabbed control.

Twente scored through Van Dooren in the 20th minute, after Danique Van Ginkel’s shot was disallowed. The Dutch international midfielder calmly tapped home from Alieke Tuin’s low left wing cross, leaving Rodgers with little chance.

Caitlin Hayes, who is normally so reliable from set pieces, had a great chance to level the score but couldn’t finish beyond Danielle de Jong from six yards after running clear from defenders and latching onto a probing free kick.

Twente’s domination continued, and it wasn’t long until they had a two-goal lead. Van Dooren became involved again. Rodgers misread her whipped corner, failing to punch the ball clear and instead diverting it into her own net.

Unfortunately, there was another own goal before halftime. Natalie Ross tried to track down a back post runner from another wicked corner, this time from Tuin on the right, but the veteran shoved the ball beyond Rodgers.

To their credit, despite the fact that the game was basically lost before halftime, Celtic remained focused in the second half. In an effort to decrease the gap, they continued to demonstrate ambition on the ball as well as enthusiasm off it.

Pot’s team controlled the most of possession, and while Rodgers was seldom bothered in goal, they expertly maneuvered their way to their first home group stage victory.

Celtic have endured a grueling six-game Champions League run. Sadiku’s team scored just one goal and surrendered 17 in six losses.

There have been competitive periods in matches along the road, but the headline statistics do not deceive. Celtic have been overwhelmed and must make significant development before they can compete effectively with seasoned European sides.

It is worth noting that this is the club’s first appearance in the tournament’s group stage, and they have faced considerably better established teams. It was never going to be easy to beat Real Madrid or Chelsea. This experience, whatever painful it has been, can only help Celtic go forward.

Sadiku will be keen to point to the European tour as a learning lesson, cautious of allowing the demoralising run of fixtures to undermine their home goals.

Celtic, having withdrawn from Europe, will resume their SWPL campaign on Sunday against Spartans.

There is little question that their midweek efforts have had a negative impact on their league results thus far. However, winning their two games in hand against Rangers and Glasgow City would keep them in contention for another crown. If Celtic does this, they may be able to return to this level next season to demonstrate their development.

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