Celtic Suffer Champions League Nightmare
Braga 3 Celtic 0
Celtic suffered a major setback in their bid to qualify for the Champions League going 3-0 down in their first leg qualifying match at Braga.
Neil Lennon, taking charge of Celtic for the first time in Europe, watched his side give a toothless display against their Portuguese hosts.
Osorio Alan broke the deadlock in the first half from the penalty spot after Ki Sung-Yeung handled.
Braga netted a second when Uwa Echiejile prodded in from a corner after 76 minutes and a free kick from Nascimento Matheus a minute from the end completed an embarrassing night for Lennon’s side.
The Scottish Premier side failed to register a single shot on goal and will need to put in much better performance in next week’s return leg if they are to have any hope of qualification.
Lennon showed faith in his new signings with Joe Ledley, Charlie Mulgrew, Efrain Juarez and Cha Du-Ri starting the match but it was not repaid.
Braga were awarded a penalty after Ki handled a cross from Miguel Garcia and Brazilian forward Alan converted from the spot with a cool finish.
The goal sparked life into the hosts and new signings Rodrigo Lima and Leandro Salino linked up well to cause problems for Celtic.
Alan broke free from marker Mulgrew and drove a cross towards goals which was turned behind for a corner by goalkeeper Zaluska. Former Cardiff City defender Glenn Loovens was caught flat-footed by the delivery and Echiejile had the easy task of poking in a flick on.
A third goal came in the 89th minute to give Celtic a mountain to climb in the second leg when Matheus smashed a free kick which dipped under the crossbar past the flapping Zaluska.
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