Champions League: Tuesday October 23rd

Rosenborg 2

Celtic 0

1:0 Brattbakk (18); 2:0 Brattbakk 35

Att: 21,540

ref: Fernendez (Spain)

Celtic: Douglas; Balde, Mjallby, Valgaeren; Agathe, Lambert, Lennon, Petrov , Thompson ; Larsson, Sutton

Another Euro trip up, this time up the fjords to Trondheim, while still traumatised from the pounding in Oporto, and it showed.

It was "Norway, Nul points!"

A competent opening against the Norwegians soon descended into farce as the sight of snow and pine trees reminded the Sieve of Christmas and their annual Panto. With shouts of "He's behind you" from the terraces and "Oh no he isn't from the Sieve", Harald Bratbakk returned as the Ghost of Christmas past to carve up Celtic's Champions League ambitions with the Turkey.

Slapstick defending and a lot of hoops running around going "gobble, gobble" in the lashing rain, meant Harald, dressed in a bright red suit and sporting a white beard, emptied his sack for the home fans twice before half time. Celtic's party was well and truly pooped.

The misery was almost compounded when Harald tumbled in the box and was awarded a spot kick. The cold Nordic air had obviously sobered up Rab D who saved from Skammelsrud's penalty.

The half time curtain descended before it could get worse. The second half was little better as Celtic tried to rally, only for Mjallby to try his luck at an o.g. Fortunately, Douglas was still on the ball and turned his effort over.

The introduction of Moravcik for Petrov was a relief and the 'Tic began to tick. Up front Larsson squandered what few opportunities we had and a siege of the Rosenborg goal in the last 10 minutes was to no avail.

Celtic now need a Good Fairy now to get in to the second phase of this competition.