EUROPA LEAGUE: Hapoel Tel-Aviv 2 Celtic 1CELTIC MANAGER Tony Mowbray did not use the heat and humidity of Israel last night as an excuse for their late defeat in the Bloomfield Stadium.

Celtic looked to be cruising through the second half of the game after Georgios Samaras’ 25th-minute strike had given them the interval lead.

However, with 15 minutes remaining, and the Parkhead side wilting, Hapoel playmaker Nemanja Vucicevic slammed in the equaliser. There was further misery for Mowbray with two minutes remaining when Hapoel substitute Maaran Lala grabbed the late winner with the Celtic defence in disarray.

But Mowbray was reluctant to blame the stifling conditions for the disappointing start to their Europa League campaign. “It was disappointing to lose in the manner we did with the two late goals but once again I can’t fault the players’ effort.

“I thought they stuck to the game plan very well but we played against a decent side and you could see they were building up a momentum at a draining time in the game. But there are no excuses, they played well and ultimately over the 90 minutes they probably deserved their victory.

“The disappointment was the concentration levels in the last quarter of an hour weren’t as high as they were. But we won’t be using the conditions as an excuse and yet I was sweating watching the game, never mind running around for 90 minutes. It would have had a bearing but let’s not take anything away from Hapoel’s performance, they played very well in those conditions.”

HAPOEL TEL-AVIV:Enyeama, Kende, Badir, Douglas, Ben Dayan, Yadin, Natcho (Zahavi 68), Vucicevic (Merey 80), Vermouth, Yeboah, Menteshashvili (Lala 54). Subs not used: Abharbanel, Gordana, Huta, Doani. Booked: Yadin, Natcho.

CELTIC:Boruc, Hinkel, McManus, Loovens, Daniel Fox, N'Guemo (McGinn 66), Caldwell (McDonald 90), Brown, Maloney, Samaras (Killen 70), McGeady. Subs not used: Zaluska, Naylor, Crosas, McCourt. Booked: McGeady, McDonald.

Referee:Paul Allaerts (Belgium).