Celtic 1-2 RB Salzburg: Hoops progress to UEL knockouts despite home loss

Celtic scraped into the last-32 stage of the Europa League after loads of drama on matchday six – not only at the Parkhead, but also in Germany, where Rosenborg scored a late equaliser against RB Leipzig to send them out. Brendan Rodgers’ men lost their game to Salzburg by a 2-1 margin, but it was enough for them to go through.

The Austrian side were dominant from the first whistle though they were the away side. The Hoops were chasing shadows, resulting in them losing Mikael Lustig to a head injury. Ryan Christie was also stretchered off after he tried to block a shot.

After a first half where Rodgers’ men didn’t have an attempt on goal, one would say the going wasn’t easy for them. Salzburg took the lead in the 67th minute when Stefan Lainer got the freedom of the ground to swing in a deep cross. Moanes Dabbur split the centre-backs and headed in from six yards. Only a fantastic save from Craig Gordon kept the score down to 1-0 four minutes later.

With 13 minutes to play and Celtic almost there to implode, their goalkeeper tried to start the attack by throwing the ball to left-back Kieran Tierney, but only managed to crash it against Fredeik Gulbrandson, who then tuck away the chance to give a 2-0 lead to the away team.

At that moment, it was looking all dead and buried for the Scottish champions. Kristoffer Ajer scored with eight minutes to go, but the biggest cheer at the Parkhead arrived after Rosenborg equalised in the other game. As a result, their team are through.

Here’s how Celtic fans reacted after that roller-coaster of a ride:

Need to get myself a Rosenborg top to wear on the 29th 😂😂😂

— Steven Reilly (@StevenReilly84) December 13, 2018

Rodgers summed it up v.well. We were poor. Rogic, Sinclair, Ajer, Gordon, Édouard all shockingly bad

— Gazzarinho (@gazzarinho1) December 13, 2018

Scraping through in Europa Cup is not improving in European competition. There is no progress. The board won’t buy the players.

— Captain Moonlight (@CaptainMoonlig1) December 13, 2018

Piffle but the faithful amongst us will stay TIL the end, no excuses for the arses that do it week in week out, games last longer than 75 minutes, and tell the Bhoys they’ll need to up their game, onwards and upwards we go, treble treble and post Xmas footy, give our best to RC.

— Danny (@DanTheManMax) December 13, 2018

Tonight I realised that in defeat you can also celebrate victory 🍀🍀🍀

— bawjaws (@DanielC80940318) December 13, 2018