Euro catastrophe for Celtic

Scottish giants staring at Champions League elimination

Last updated: 28th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Euro catastrophe for Celtic

Lennon: Night to forget

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Neil Lennon's first competitive match as permanent Celtic boss proved to be a catastrophe as the Scottish side were demolished 3-0 by Braga in Portugal in their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round first leg.

Having been handed a full-time contract earlier in the summer after a temporary agreement following the sacking of Tony Mowbray last season, Lennon would have been desperate to get off to a successful start on his European managerial debut.

But that was not to be the case as Celtic were taken apart at AXA stadium to leave their hopes of progressing looking extremely thin ahead of next Wednesday's second leg in Glasgow.

A controversial first-half penalty from Alan - awarded after Ki Sung-Yeung was adjudged to have handled - a debut goal from Uwa Elderson Echiejile, and a stunning free-kick from substitute Matheus ensured the Hoops' miserable European away record continued.

And Celtic may have to turn the tie around next week without star winger Aiden McGeady, whose Parkhead career could be over after he was left out of the squad.

Celtic failed to muster a single shot on target in sweltering conditions, with their opponents comfortably holding sway.

Lennon had insisted he would field winger McGeady, who is rumoured to want to leave, unless he was ordered not to pick him by the club's hierarchy.

Instead, four players were handed their competitive debuts, with summer signings Joe Ledley, Charlie Mulgrew, Efrain Juarez and Cha Du-Ri all in the starting XI.

Braga, whose summer recruitment drive dwarfed that of their opponents following the loss of some key men, handed debuts to Rodrigo Lima, and Leandro Salino.

Bad impression

The hosts were playing the first Champions League game in their history having finished second in Portugal last season.

Mulgrew made a bad early impression in a Celtic jersey with a fourth minute yellow card for time-wasting at a throw-in.

That was after Ki had sent a free-kick over the crossbar, won by lone frontman Georgios Samaras.

The heat, despite Lennon's confidence, was stifling and both sides looked a yard off the pace.

Indeed, there was no real goalmouth action until the 17th minute, when a cross from Shaun Maloney - out since October due to injury - was acrobatically cleared by Moises.

Braga broke up the other end and Lukasz Zaluska spilled a Paulo Cesar shot he should have held before Andres Madrid blazed his follow-up over from 20 yards.

Then, in the 25th minute, the hosts were awarded a controversial penalty when Ki was adjudged to have handled Miguel Garcia's cross, earning a booking.

Alan fired the spot-kick into the roof of the net to put Braga ahead.

Salino could have immediately made it 2-0 but he scuffed his finish wide on the turn.

The already vocal home support was now bouncing, while the small band of travelling fans were left to contemplate yet another reminder of Celtic's miserable European away record.

Complexion

Captain Scott Brown was flagged offside when attempting to volley Mulgrew's back-post cross but it was Braga who were getting closer to legally getting in behind their opponents.

Jos Hooiveld picked up a yellow card for clattering into Lima seconds after a talking to from referee Serge Gumienny.

The signs were not good at the start of the second half when Elderson got in behind Cha all too easily but his cross was too close to Zaluska.

The Celtic defence then dawdled as Cesar tried to force his way into the box, a gaggle of players doing just enough to stifle his finish.

Glenn Loovens became the latest Hoops defender booked after fouling Lima as the visitors' problems continued beyond the hour mark.

None of the new faces were making an impact as Celtic struggled to string more than a handful of passes together.

Lima was eventually taken out of the firing line, with Matheus coming on up front.

Moises had time to flash a header wide before Lennon responded by introducing new boy Daryl Murpy for Maloney.

Celtic soon won their first corner, which came to nothing but their search for an equaliser risked exposing them at the back.

But there was no legislating for the appalling defending that gifted Braga their second goal 15 minutes from time, Matheus' corner missed by a host of players before Elderson bundled the ball home.

Lennon threw on Forrest for the disappointing Juarez knowing an away goal would change the whole complexion of the tie.

Charlie Mulgrew sent a free-kick wide which Mario Felgueiras had covered before Matheus showed him how it should be done.

The substitute stepped up after a foul three minutes from time and blasted a shot which flew into the top corner.

Salino became the only Braga player booked in stoppage time and Alan was withdrawn for Helder Barbosa as the home fans celebrated.

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Comments (60)

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Paul Manning (Newcastle United fan) says...

I think now we can scrap the idiotic idea to allow Rangers and Celtic into the English premier league. How could that have ever been justified.

Posted 06:52 29th July 2010

William Leith says...

told ma wee mate who is a mad celtic supporter [no pun intended] that celtic bought to many players u might make a case for indivdually but try to play them together in a team and u see where celtics ambition lies. another season when celtic should be taking advantage of rangers financial woes but have proved themselves not up to the task. long may it continue

Posted 06:50 29th July 2010

Michael Hughes says...

typical underestimate the oppositon if lennon cant get them up for it well no one can i think there was a lot of panic buys well done braga

Posted 06:13 29th July 2010

Bryan Cassidy (Celtic fan) says...

Mr Terrious (the Wolves fan) Mickey Mouse clubs, Mickey mouse tournament. i believe the Champions league is recognised as thee premier club tournament in the world. He''s maybe thinking of the Championship which wolves almost joined last season and will join at the end of this season. Don''t know much about Braga but they must be a decent outfit to finish 2nd in Portugal. As for my own club 62,000 all seater stadium and recognised throughout the football world. Woverhampton Who!!!!! weren''t big about 100 years ago!

Posted 05:56 29th July 2010

David Grant (Rangers fan) says...

Is this not a familiar story, Tony buying all and sundry last season and look what happened to him! Actually dissapointed about this game as Scottish football needs to improve as our coefficient is diving beyond control and we really need to halt this as soon as possible. I hope Celtic can turn this round and give Scottish football a boost as on the whole clubs and country we need it

Posted 05:14 29th July 2010

Tony R (Manchester United fan) says...

paulos terrious !!!..what are you talking about ?....first of all how can you call the champions league a mickey mouse tournament and also ...i would bet my hard earned cash that celtic would beat wolves every day of the week ......and correct me if im wrong but i dont think i have ever seen and will never ever see your pathetic team in the champions league !!!!.....people like u should not be allowed to watch football

Posted 04:42 29th July 2010

Billy Boy (Rangers fan) says...

Tony lorenzo, if Scottish football is so bad how come Boro have signed about 6 of them?

Posted 04:24 29th July 2010

Kristopher Walker (Manchester City fan) says...

Why is Neil Lennon your manager? Why did you sign Joe Ledley? Doesn''t sound like a team trying to qualify for the champions league!

Posted 04:17 29th July 2010

Timothy Ho (Manchester United fan) says...

Seriously Scottish football is all talk and nothing else, so overrated (or is it even rated at all?), it''s basically over isn''t it? If Braga knock 1 in Celtic need 5!

Posted 03:57 29th July 2010

S K (Celtic fan) says...

High hopes for Celtic this season. Not sure if I can see a come back for a champions league spot but first game jitters are a real thing. Come on Neil and bring the bhoys back to Europe.

Posted 03:47 29th July 2010

S M (Rangers fan) says...

Sad day for Scottish football, Braga are a good outfit mind you. Problem isn''t just Celtic I fear Rangers will have it tough this year again in the Champs League - no money to spend and no players been brought in.

Posted 03:33 29th July 2010

Murray Cross (Rangers fan) says...

Was surprised at how poorly Celtic played tonight but to all the people who were raving about the amount of signings celtic were making it just shows that you must sign the right player. A player from Aberdeen and a couple of Championship players do not exactly strike fear into my Rangers heart. Great result for Rangers in terms of we will probably get all the Champions League pot but poor advert for Scottish football. And to the Middlesborough fan, if our league is that bad why have you signed half the old firm this season? Plonker

Posted 03:17 29th July 2010

Jason Barr says...

Lets not blame the manager, like all good guys he is aspirational and anyone in the same position given the chance would have gone for the job, but he is not the right man, no background, no man management skills yet, no transfer knowledge, quite simply its the biscuit tin board that are to blame. Continually taking advantage of celtics fans and never being held accountable. Completely agree with Mr Forrests comments, its only a matter of time before the fans turn against the board completely and land the club in serious amounts of S**t!! but at least we can look forward to the eurofa, europe, oh whatever its called, who cares!! Still celtic :) Just one little bit of food for thought, we all know about the win bonuses players get, wouldnt it also be fair to have a humiliating defeat deduction from the over inflated salaries??

Posted 03:01 29th July 2010

Emmet Mclaughlin (Celtic fan) says...

Terrible, I watched this game online and I have to say, Braga deserved it. They had a dodgey penalty decision go there way, and then, the penalty taker stopped in the run up (not allowed) and the ref had a shocker. But there''s no point in blaming the ref, he was bad, yes, but Celtic were worse. Celtic can never manage a 3-0 win at Parkhead, a 2-1 win is about it and that isn''t good enough. Bye Bye Europe!

Posted 02:38 29th July 2010

Stephen Gough (Wolverhampton Wanderers fan) says...

this shows exactly how Celtic are effectively about the same level as a mid table championship team, if that, and the rest of the clubs in the Scottish prem are league 1 at best. they will never get into the EPL because they would last for one season then sink, then rangers money problmes would be even worse

Posted 02:16 29th July 2010

Teddy bears Forever (Rangers fan) says...

shocked at celtic playing one up front as much as i love rangers celtic never play tht formation and im shocked at the scoreline tonight ive actually bet celtic to win the league nxt season with 10 points or more 80 pounds they have the signings to do it suarez n ledley are great signings lennon has to just go for broke the team wont let them down i want to see celtic go through becoz its goin to end up with scottish football havin no champions league places n rangers are already on a slippery slope my nxt bet will be celtic to win 4-0 at parkhead i hope yous do it

Posted 01:12 29th July 2010

John James (Everton fan) says...

Anthony Forrest mentions the link between English football and SKY TV. Does he not realise SKY Broadcast the SPL? That invigorating League that brings such joy to the hundreds who watch it. UEFA have been kind granting the 2nd place team even a qualifier. Would be like offering £20m to the loser of The Ashes. The Champions League is a step above an SPL side. They may fight their way to a quarter final once in a while, but most can surely see this current Celtic side would struggle to do any sort of damage in the Premier League. I personally would love to see Celtic and Rangers join English football. Try getting into the Champions League there.

Posted 01:06 29th July 2010

Colin Garvey (Celtic fan) says...

Well here we go again Celtic get beat at the first hurdle in europe and every celtic fan think we''re tst team ever and the every Rangers fan cant stop laughing at us. Point is its a new season and our first competitive game give thereak at least wait till xmas then judge eh? i mean we have a mountain to climb after last few seasons the only reason rangers are winning is cause they have one thing celtic are rying to build and thats consistency. I would like to see ho many slag celtic off if we run away with the league this and next few seasons and as far as europe goes we''re only payinour own inadequancies in europe So come on lets get behind the bhoys i think they''ll do us proud SO COME ON HAIL HAIL LETS BRING THE THUNDER BACK TO PARADISE MON THE ''TIC.......

Posted 01:04 29th July 2010

Gordon Christie (Celtic fan) says...

Lennon is not the man, I''ve said it from the start and I''ll say it till he goes... NO EXPERIENCE. I don''t blame him though as it''s the powers that be, Lawwell and Reid who are the real culprits. If any Celtic fan was given the chance to manage their team they would of course accept. But Lennon''s downfall has to be his signings, the only only one I agree with is Ledley. Why is Lennon looking at 30 year olds and above!... and why are Hinkel and Samaras still there especially! If I was in charge... I''d make sure Lawwell and Reid were held accountable for their actions. I''d be looking to sign Stokes from Hibs, I''d even have had Hartley back on a one year contract with the possibility of a second, for the experience and leadership. I''d also be looking at signing some of the ''future stars'' at Dundee United such as Craig Conway and Jon Daly (watch this space), and Mark Reynolds for a decent centre half. BUY BRITISH and that will reinforce the mentality of the team, similiar to what Hodgson''s trying to do at Liverpool. Please let me know what you think because I for one am already having the same feelings as last year. LAWWELL, REID, LENNON OUT.

Posted 01:01 29th July 2010

Billy Bluebird says...

Not such a good move for Joe Ledley at the moment, is it? Hmmm, hang on, though. It wasn''t about the football was it? Too weighed down by the new money in his pockets, one suspects.

Posted 00:42 29th July 2010
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