Celtic let two-goal lead slip in 4-2 defeat to Milan

Neil Lennon's side were defeated again in the Europa League.

STV News

3rd Dec 2020

Celtic have lost 4-2 to Milan in their Europa League match in Italy.

The Scottish champions raced to a two-goal lead after goals from Tom Rogic and Odsonne Edouard but Milan bounced back and ended up comfrotable winners.

Neil Lennon’s side had already seen their qualification hopes extinguished but will now finish bottom of Group H.

Lennon had made two changes from the side knocked out of the League Cup by Ross County. Jeremie Frimpong and Callum MCGregor came into the side with Albian Ajeti and Christopher Jullien dropping out.

Celtic were looking to give themselves a lift after a series of disappointing results and had the perfect start, taking the lead seven minutes in.

A defensive lapse by Milan allowed Rogic to pick up the ball just outside the box and he cut to his left before curling a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Six minutes later the visitors doubled their lead when an incisive move saw Ryan Christie pick out Edouard and the French forward dinked in a neat finish.

The lead didn’t last long, with Milan winning a free kick 25 yards out ten minutes later, and Hakan Calhanoglu stepped up to shoot past Vasilis Barkas, and Samuel Castillejo levelled soon after.

Milan took the lead early in the second half. Jens Petter Hauge, a threat throughout the night, wove between Celtic defenders and placed a low shot into the corner of the net.

And the hosts rubbed salt in the wound with a late fourth goal, substitute Brahim Diaz lifting a shot over Barkas to secure the win for his side.