New Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has now felt the true dramatic nature of a European night for the Hoops.
We know things never happen in straightforward fashion at Parkhead and that was epitomised on Thursday when the Bhoys lost 4-3 in their Europa League opener.
On the chalkboard
When Celtic took a 2-0 lead against Real Betis, it was shaping up to be a famous night on the continent for the Bhoys.
Although the game will forever be remembered for the sheer number of goals, Postecoglou’s injury-stricken side eventually came out second best.
The performance, certainly from an offensive point of view, had to be admired.
It was a team missing Kyogo Furuhashi through injury and Liel Abada due to religious reasons. However, with Albian Ajeti in fine fettle and Jota hitting the ground running immediately, they were superb in the final third.
Jota and Ajeti had a fine understanding as David Turnbull and Tom Rogic linked up with the strike force impeccably well.
It was a surprising display considering the players they were missing as teenager Adam Montgomery was forced to start on the left flank.
Sadly, the teenager was subpar as he was given a rare opportunity to impress in attack. He failed to have a single shot in the game and was also devoid of any creativity, making zero key passes.
The solution
With that in mind, Postecoglou will have no other choice but to bring Abada back on Sunday when the Hoops face Livingston in the Premiership.
Jota was a rampant force down the Israeli's usual right-hand side on Thursday, amassing five key passes and completing two dribbles on his way to providing Ajeti’s opener.
However, when they face Livingston, he must swap wings with the tricky Abada returning to the line-up.
The thought of the duo playing alongside each other in attack is a mouth-watering one and it should produce a host of goals. After all, had Celtic not been facing La Liga’s sixth-best side of last season in midweek, they could have scored five or six.
Abada would certainly help with that, too. He has been first-class since signing this summer and it’s hard to believe that he’s only 19 years of age.
The £2.7m-rated attacker has scored four goals and registered the same number of assists in only ten outings for his new club. In the words of Israeli pundit Boni Ginzburg: "He is very dangerous in front of goal.”
He has shown that so far during his time in Glasgow, and combined with Jota, the Bhoys will surely be in good stead to not only beat Livingston, but win the Premiership title come May.
Abada has so far produced more key passes per game (3.2) than any other player at Paradise this term while his shots per match average of 3.6 is only beaten by David Turnbull.
On that evidence, he is vital to Postecoglou’s team and simply has to come back into the starting XI tomorrow.