- Celtic’s chances of making it to the Europa League knockouts were dealt a severe blow after being emphatically swept aside in Denmark.
- The hosts scored three without reply in a dominant first half, with Reo Hatate coming off the bench for Celtic to reduce the deficit from the spot late on.
- This was Martin O’Neill’s first defeat since returning to the Celtic dugout.
Martin O’Neill tasted defeat for the first time since returning to the Celtic dugout after his side were thoroughly dismantled by Midtjylland in Denmark.
The interim boss celebrated back-to-back wins over Falkirk and Rangers in the past week after replacing Brendan Rodgers at the helm, but was brought back down to earth with a bang against the Europa League leaders.
Marlin Erlic capitalised on some woeful defending to deservedly head the hosts in front shortly after the half-hour mark.
The lead was doubled just two minutes later when Mikel Johan Gogorza Kruger-Johnsen cut inside from the left before curling beyond Kasper Schmeichel, with Franculino Dju adding a third prior to the interval.
Reo Hatate came off the bench to slot home a late penalty and reduce the deficit, but the visitors never looked like mounting a dramatic comeback as they suffered their second loss of what is proving to be a difficult campaign.
Our man Kevin McKenna was on hand to run the rule over the Scottish champions.
Celtic were outclassed against the Danes as they fell to a second Europa League loss
Interim manager Martin O’Neill was unable to turn the tide following a dreadful first half
The hosts were out of sight by the break after the Franculino (left) curled home the third
CELTIC (4-2-3-1)
Kasper Schmeichel – 6
Made two excellent saves before the floodgates opened. Could do little about the goals, but distribution was poor.
Anthony Ralston – 3
Failed to stop cross for the opener, then allowed Gogorza to cut unside unopposed to fire in the second. A night to forget.
Auston Trusty – 6
Was on a one-man mission to keep the scoreline respectable, making a number of key interventions in his own box.
Liam Scales – 4
Caught out of position on more than one occasion as the hosts cut through at will. Couldn’t get anywhere near Franculino.
Kieran Tierney – 4.5
Had to do far more to stop Franculino curling home the third. Still looks a long way off top form.
Auston Trusty was one of very few in a Celtic shirt to earn pass marks on a difficult night
Arne Engels – 3.5
Found it difficult to cope with the hosts’ physicality in the midfield. The game largely passed him by.
Callum McGregor – 4
Unable to get on the ball and settle things down as Celtic toiled to gain a foothold. Left chasing shadows throughout.
James Forrest – 3
Hard to recall him getting a touch in the opening period. No surprise to see him hauled off at the break.
Benjamin Nygren – 3.5
Wasted a great early chance to break the deadlock but blazed over the bar from 18 yards. That was the last we saw of him.
Sebastian Tounekti – 4
Celtic’s only real attacking outlet but that’s hardly saying much. Faded badly after relatively bright start.
Johnny Kenny – 3
Given absolutely no service to work with. Isolated up top throughout dire first half and was hooked at the interval.
Reo Hatate converted a late penalty but the visitors couldn’t muster up a comeback
SUBSTITUTES: Maeda (Forrest, 46), Osmand (Kenny, 46), Hatate (Nygren, 69), Bernardo (Engels, 74), Balikwisha (Tounekti, 75).
Martin O’Neill – 3
The honeymood period is certainly over. His side never got going and were fortunate not to be on the end of a doing.
MIDTJYLLAND (4-2-3-1): Olaffson; Mbabu, Han-Beom, Erlic (Diao, 85), Bech; Bravo, Billing (Byskov, 71); Osorio (Osorio, 59), Cho, Gogorza (Simsir, 59); Franculino (Brumado, 59).
REFEREE: Nenad Minakovic (SER) 6
ATTENDANCE: N/A
