CELTIC have been despatched on a revenge mission in Prague however did not regain any delight as their Europa League marketing campaign was left lifeless and buried.
The Hoops have been humiliated by a depleted Sparta Prague final day out at Parkhead – with Lukas Julis bagging a hat-trick in the 4-1 win.
Sparta Prague made it two successive 4-1 wins over CelticCredit score: Reuters
The Hoops’ defence was left uncovered as soon as once more with their Europa League marketing campaign lifeless and buriedCredit score: Reuters
And the striker got here again to hang-out the champions as soon as once more as his double ended Celtic‘s {qualifications} hopes with two video games nonetheless to play in one other disastrous evening.
Regardless of some early strain from the hosts, Odsonne Edouard fired Celtic in entrance after quarter-hour.
The Hoops hit on the counter-attack via Callum McGregor, who picked out the Frenchman on the left-hand aspect.
And Edouard – who ended his five-game objective drought with a penalty in opposition to Hibs on Sunday – turned his man inside out earlier than tucking the ball into the underside proper nook off the publish.
It was the proper begin for the guests. However their lead did not final lengthy.
The Hoops have been caught out on the nook as Christopher Jullien did not clear the hazard from the penalty space with a weak header.
Scott Brown could not scramble the ball away and it fell to David Hancko to fit dwelling from simply yards out.
It was calamitous defending from Celtic, and there was extra to come back.
Celtic have conceded 21 objectives in 9 video gamesCredit score: Reuters
Odsonne Edouard gave Celtic an early leadCredit score: Reuters
Seven minutes earlier than half-time Sparta took the lead via a easy low cross into the field.
The ball drifted previous Kristoffer Ajer and Scott Bain earlier than Julis nipped in entrance of Jullien to poke dwelling on the again publish.
Seconds earlier than the whistle it ought to have been THREE after Ladislav Krejci smashed a free header off the publish from a free-kick.
It was a serious let-off for Neil Lennon’s aspect, who began brighter within the second-half.
Edouard went shut with a dipping free-kick, whereas Ryan Christie flashed a curling shot simply broad of the publish.
Celtic have been piling heavy strain on their Czech opponents, with Sparta pinned deep inside their very own half.
Neil Lennon was taking cost of his sixtieth European recreationCredit score: AFP or licensors
Sparta Prague celebrated their win, placing eight objectives previous Celtic of their two conferencesCredit score: AFP or licensors
Edouard had his head in his fingers with 25 minutes left as he squandered a golden alternative to hit the leveller.
Olivier Ntcham confirmed nice talent on the left to play the ball throughout the field to his fellow Frenchman.
However Edouard – normally so ice-cool in massive moments – misplaced his steadiness and handed the ball into Florin Nita’s fingers.
Celtic deserved an equaliser however lacked a leading edge.
They usually have been made to pay as Sparta made it 3-1 with a lethal counter-attack.
Julis made it FIVE objectives in two video games in opposition to Celtic as he acquired on the tip of ex-Kilmarnock loanee David Karlsson’s cross.
And a mistake from Scott Bain accomplished one other embarrassing evening as Srđan Plavšić rounded the keeper to make it 4 with the ultimate kick of the sport.
