Celtic crash out of Champions League with defeat to Leipzig

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:53 am

Celtic's hopes of reaching the Champions League round of 16 ended with a 2-0 defeat against RB Leipzig on Tuesday.

Timo Werner guided a clever header past goalkeeper Joe Hart to silence Celtic Park with 74 minutes on the clock before setting up  Emil Forsberg 10 minutes later and the Swedish striker sealed the result with a brilliant finish into the top corner.

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Leipzig move up to second with six points, four behind leaders Real Madrid who drew 1-1 against Shakhtar Donetsk, while Celtic remain bottom with one point and two games remaining.

In a frantic first half, Leipzig dominated possession while Celtic had the better chances as they hit the woodwork twice and registered the only shot on target through Kyogo Furuhashi, but neither team were able to find the clinical edge.

RB Leipzig twice struck late to keep Celtic winless in the Champions League.
ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP

The noise level at Celtic Park cranked up after Matt O'Riley's low shot struck the post and Greg Taylor's rebound rattled the bar before Furuhashi headed over a cross from Sead Haksabanovic.

Celtic made a sluggish start after the break and Leipzig looked the more dangerous as Willi Orban drew a swift save from Hart while Dominik Szoboszlai granted the hosts a reprieve after losing his footing with a clear sight of goal.

Celtic's Daizen Maeda met substitute Aaron Mooy's cross but steered his first-time effort wide before Werner and Forsberg punished Celtic on a night of missed opportunities for Ange Postecoglou's side.