CHAMPIONS LEAGUE/Celtic 2 Braga 1:AFTER A first-leg drubbing in Portugal, there is no surprise at all about the fact there will be no Champions League football at Parkhead for a second successive season. Manager Neil Lennon could derive satisfaction from his team's attitude here, but would be privately aware this side is basically ill-equipped for the rigours of the Champions League proper.
Celtic always faced an insurmountable task in seeking to overhaul a 3-0 deficit. The masses were rewarded with a fiery Celtic opening. Georgios Samaras headed narrowly wide of the Braga goal within four minutes when, in truth, he should have scored.
Charlie Mulgrew was woefully exposed as Braga worked the ball down their right. The culmination of that move was a fine cross from Alan, which was headed home impressively by Paulo Cesar.
After Gary Hooper bundled home a Marc-Antoine Fortune cross in the 51st minute, the lively Efrain Juarez secured victory by heading home a Samaras cross, but a Europa League play-off will represent Celtic’s next European adventure.
CELTIC: Zaluska, Cha, Hooiveld, Loovens, Mulgrew (Fortune 46), Juarez, Brown (McCourt 87), Ledley, Maloney (Murphy 63), Samaras, Hooper. Subs not used: Cervi, Ki, Rasmussen, Rogne. Booked: Hooiveld, Brown.
SPORTING BRAGA: Felgudiraf, Alberto Rodriguez, Moises, Echiejile, Miguel Garcia, Paulo Cesar, Madrid (Paulao 84), Leandro Salino (Meyong 90), Alan, Matheus (Lima 66), Vandinho. Subs not used: Artur, Helder Barbosa, Silvio, Guilherme. Booked: Matheus, Miguel Garcia, Echiejile, Alberto Rodriguez.
Referee: Ivan Bebek (Croatia).
