Champions League - Celtic bumped out of Europe

Eurosport - Wed, 26 Nov 07:59:00 2008

Celtic crashed out of Europe after a heartbreaking late 2-1 defeat to AaB Aalborg at the Energi Nord Arena in Group E of the Champions League.

FOOTBALL Stephen McManus upset Celtic v Aalborg Champions League 2008 - 0

Gordon Strachan's side took a thoroughly deserved second half lead through Barry Robson, before a cruelly deflected Lucas Caca shot beat Artur Boruc and Gary Caldwell netted an own-goal to send the Scottish side out of the competition in the dying moments.

Celtic dominated a first half which should have yielded a healthy lead, with Georgios Samaras missing two glorious opportunities to reflect his side's possession in the scoreline.

The first period was otherwise distinctly devoid of quality, with Shunsuke Nakamura's wing play providing the only source of creativity or guile. Samaras failed to convert two Nakamura crosses from inside the Aalborg area, failing to make meaningful contact with either.

Indeed, the Greek striker looked laboured throughout and was sluggish in his all-round play leaving Strachan no choice but to replace him after the hour mark.

But it was the Japanese midfielder himself who squandered the best chance in the ninth minute, ballooning his shot over the bar when through on goal with just Karim Zaza to beat.

Robson demonstrated the conviction needed to score the opener in the 53rd minute with a header guided with such precision from the edge of the box, that Zaza was left rooted to the spot.

To their cost, Celtic sat back on their lead and Aalborg, whose only dangerous outlet was Caca, equalised in the 73rd minute when the midfielder was allowed to advance and unleash a shot which took a wicked deflection off Stephen McManus.

And the Bhoys experienced even worse luck in the 87th minute with the ball rebounding off Caldwell's thigh after Boruc had parried Andreas Johansson's speculative cross.

The Scottish side's European dream ended in disappointment once again with Strachan unable to believe his luck; the post-match inquest, however, will have to be focused on the numerous first-half chances which went awry.

Dan Quarrell / Eurosport

Comment 167 - 186 of 206

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  1. stuart k

    Are yi talking aboot New Oirlands?

    I guess­ you mean New Orleans... U.S.A

    In case you want to make­ fun/ etc. Of Ireland I can suggest you another names­ which would sound funny.
    The point is that I feel a lot­ of respect for the Republic of Ireland.

    I am a true­ Scot mate.

    Slainte, from Scotland....land of Scots and­ traitors.

    Celtic F C

    From willflet, on Wed 26 Nov 7:14PM

  2. grahamclaire

    Sorry lass,

    Did you say?

    Take­ care...Don't bit yer tongue... this type of poison­ can kill you in few seconds!

    Talking aboot seconds...­ again the Second ones?

    From willflet, on Wed 26 Nov 6:58PM

  3. CFC-SCOTLAND AND OIRLANDS SHAME IN EUROPE!
    GIRFUY!

    From stuart, on Wed 26 Nov 6:57PM

  4. STEVIE B

    Don't waste your precious time in­ 'nil-naething- Ç`**' fellow.

    Gers will never­ change mate.

    Agree they need to buy a map or­ something...

    These lads think they live in­ englund!

    Aye, a map will give'em some sense of­ orientation.

    I entirely agree your wise­ coments.

    Smile away Stevie B...You'll never walk­ alone!

    Slainte fella.

    From willflet, on Wed 26 Nov 6:53PM

  5. Mibbes you do have sat-navs, but it seems obvious you­ dont know how to work them!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Wed 26 Nov 6:52PM

  6. We gers own sat navs, we dont do it the celtic way with­ paper maps. Were not jakeys like you lot.

    From Claire, on Wed 26 Nov 6:47PM

  7. '''''''-

    From willflet, on Wed 26 Nov 6:40PM

  8. I really wish you orange clowns would stick to one­ statement! One minute, we're Scotland's shame -­ the next we're accused of being Irish! Go buy a­ map, or better still, go ram-raid a book shop for one!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Wed 26 Nov 6:38PM

  9. PAUL G - COCOPOPS!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Wed 26 Nov 6:36PM

  10. Hip!.....hip ... zzzzzzzz

    From willflet, on Wed 26 Nov 6:30PM

  11. Gary r?

    NO REPLY (LENNON-McCARTNEY)

    Would you please­ show some 'class' lass.

    Take it easy .... try­ a pill or something.

    Take care.

    Who's this gary­ r?

    Waiter! a glass of still water please?

    When you­ walk...

    From willflet, on Wed 26 Nov 6:26PM

  12. Sorry Gary Macca...I thought...

    ????????? Who's­ this Gary r?

    HMMMMMMMMM

    Gary ranGers?

    Anyway... When­ you walk..thru the storm...hold your hand..
    And­ you'll never walk alone...you'll never walk­ alone!

    Waiter!...another glass of red wine­ please?

    And don't be afraid of the dark...
    At the­ end ..of the storm...there's a g..... gary what?

    From willflet, on Wed 26 Nov 6:12PM

  13. Sorry mum I thought....

    Who's that Gary R

    Gary­ neuvile?

    linekker?

    Stevenz?

    GARY McALLISTER!!!!

    Hi­ GARY!

    GARY MACCA! ::GARY GARY MACCA!

    From willflet, on Wed 26 Nov 5:58PM

  14. 167* Gary R

    Is that you mum?

    told you I'm­ busy!.

    Call you later.

    Willy

    From willflet, on Wed 26 Nov 5:50PM

  15. is this the same ginger naff that will romp to 4 in a­ row you silly fool

    From simonk, on Wed 26 Nov 5:41PM

  16. Great European result for Celtic and they think they­ are good enough to play in the English premier, get­ real, most Premier teams would beat Aalborg - do they­ make lager or play football. Celtic need to fius now­ on losing the SPL to the mighty Rangers. Please do not­ sack the wee Ginger naff they call a manager, he will­ turn Celtic into bigger muppets. Come on the Rangers.

    From Allen H, on Wed 26 Nov 5:36PM

  17. celtic did not shame scotland and never have i think­ you are getting confused with the other so called team­ in glasgow

    From simonk, on Wed 26 Nov 5:23PM

  18. "Celtic put Scotland to shame yet again" Paul­ G what are you on i think it is rangers that are the­ shame of Scotland remember Manchester you idiot. by the­ way have you got your mum or sister pregnant yet or are­ you still giving them a beating you stupid inbred fool­ please go and hang your self for all the descent people­ on these pages

    From johnbhoy, on Wed 26 Nov 5:21PM

  19. Oh and stevie b, we come on here because we cant post­ anything about the gers as its celtic who fail the­ most.

    From Paul G CHAMPIONS, on Wed 26 Nov 5:15PM

  20. And this was the same celtic team that the gers humped­ at HOME remember.
    1 point out of 54 is a complete joke.­ The whole of europe are talking about it. Celtic put­ scotland to shame yet again.

    From Paul G CHAMPIONS, on Wed 26 Nov 5:14PM
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