Midtjylland v Celtic: Danes defeat Scottish champions 3-1 in Europa League

Celtic have been beaten 3-1 by Midtjylland in their Europa League clash in Denmark.

A strong first half performance gave the hosts a comfortable 3-0 lead and despite a late penalty from Reo Hatate, Celtic slumped to their third defeat of the League Phase.

Interim boss Martin O’Neill had been hoping to build momentum after back-to-back victories, including a cup semi-final win over Rangers, and made only two changes from the side that started at Hampden on Sunday.

Midtjylland, who had a 100% record in the competition and sat top of the league, started strongly and created a handful of chances in the opening minutes.

They made the breakthrough after half an hour. Daniel Osorio’s volley was put out for a corner by Kasper Schmeichel but from the set piece Mikel Kruger-Johnsen was allowed to cross and Martin Erlic scored a powerful header.

The celebrations had barely settled when the home team added a second. Kruger-Johnsen was the scorer this time, cutting in from the right and letting fly with a perfectly struck curling shot that settled inside Schmeichel’s far post.

Four minutes before the break, the dominant Danes hit a third and effectively wrapped up three points. Celtic failed to properly clear a corner and Franculino Dju fired in a powerful shot from distance.

O’Neill made two changes at half-time, introducing Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand for James Forrest and Johnny Kenny.

Celtic contained their opponents better and created some opportunities but Midtjylland had command of the game.

Osmand won the visitors a penalty with just under ten minutes left, with Hatate putting the spot kick low into the corner to give a glimmer of hope.

However, they couldn’t gain any further ground and their was added misery when Osman was stretchered off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

The result leaves Celtic with an uphill battle in the competition, with matches against Feyenoord, Roma, Bologna and Utrecht left in the League Phase.