Hamburg increased the pressure on Celtic boss Tony Mowbray following a 1-0 win at Parkhead.

Celtic left clinging to place in Europe following Glasgow defeat

Hamburg increased the pressure on under-fire Celtic boss Tony Mowbray and plunged the Bhoys' place in the Europa League into further doubt following a 1-0 win at Parkhead. Marcus Berg's superb second-half goal in Glasgow did the damage to leave Celtic still without a victory in Group C, while also offering additional ammunition for critics of Mowbray, who has been questioned following a winless run. The opening 45 minutes had ended goalless as Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney both wasted glorious opportunities to break the deadlock at either end of the half, while Aiden McGeady had a penalty claim turned down. Berg had miscued when well placed for Hamburg before the interval, but Celtic had enjoyed the better of the contest without scoring and that pattern continued at the start of the second half as McGeady produced a weak finish. Celtic, though, were let off when Eljero Elia, who scored Holland's winner against Scotland in September, rattled the crossbar following one of the visitors' repeated, swift and dangerous counter-attacks. Mowbray's team did not learn their lesson and on 63 minutes Hamburg's £10million summer signing Berg applied a delightful finish from 20 yards after a return of pass with the excellent Ze Roberto. Hamburg's success was marred after the final whistle as members of the German side's management team were involved in angry exchanges with Parkhead stewards and police as they celebrated with their travelling fans. Only Barcelona had beaten Celtic in a European match at Parkhead in eight years before Mowbray took charge in the summer, but the latest defeat leaves the SPL giants well adrift at the bottom of their group with just one point from three games.

Lack of composure

Celtic's lack of composure on the ball was apparent from the second minute when Jonathan Pitroipa forced Artur Boruc into a save after the recalled Landry N'Guemo gave away possession. The game continued in a scrappy manner but Celtic created their first clear chance in the 13th minute when Maloney's corner found its way to the back post, where Brown sliced wide from six yards. Hamburg immediately made their first real opportunity when Pitroipa cut the ball back for Berg, but the Swede's scuffed shot trundled wide. Brown was employed in a second striker's role behind Scott McDonald but he seemed unsure of his duties and shot straight at Frank Rost from 25 yards on one of the rare occasions he found space between Hamburg's defence and midfield. Celtic continued to waste possession and Hamburg enjoyed a good spell after the half-hour mark. Pitroipa curled a shot into Boruc's arms after an exchange of passes with Ze Roberto and Marcell Jansen volleyed high and wide after being picked out by the Brazilian after the Celtic goalkeeper threw the ball straight back to Hamburg. Berg headed over from eight yards after a corner by Dennis Aogo, who soon curled a free-kick just over from 30 yards. Pitroipa was off target from 20 yards after breaking quickly down the right when Barry Robson lost the ball inside the Hamburg half, but Celtic finished the half the stronger side. McGeady appealed for a penalty after falling over David Rozenhal's legs but Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi correctly decided the Celtic winger had run into his opponent.

Boos

N'Guemo's header then found Maloney onside and unmarked 10 yards