MX23RW : Saturday, November 16 22:46:54| >> :600:107997:107997:
[monks data]
Lincoln Red Imps
Champions League | Second Qualifying Round
Jul 12, 2016 at 7pm UK
 
Celtic logo

1-0

Casciaro (48')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Celtic stunned by Gibraltan part-timers Lincoln Red Imps

Celtic slump to one of the most embarrassing defeats in their history at the hands of Gibraltan part-timers Lincoln Red Imps in Brendan Rodgers's first match in charge.

Celtic have fallen to one of the most humiliating defeats in the club's history courtesy of a 1-0 loss at the hands of Gibraltan part-timers Lincoln Red Imps this evening.

Brendan Rodgers was taking charge of the club for the first time in a competitive match, but it turned out to be one of the lowest moments in their history as they fell to an infamous defeat in the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie.

Celtic, as expected, dominated possession in the early stages of the match, but they struggled to get any sort of fluency going in their attack as the hosts dealt with everything that their more illustrious opponents could offer.

Indeed, it was the part-timers who had the first shot on target of the match after half an hour when Liam Walker skipped away from Kieran Tierney in the area before going for goal, but Craig Gordon was equal to the effort.

Celtic did have the ball in the back of the net moments later when new signing Moussa Dembele climbed highest in the penalty area to nod home, but the referee cut the celebrations short by awarding a free kick for a foul on the keeper.

Tom Rogic had a rare shot on target for the visitors that was comfortably gathered by the keeper before Celtic finally had their first real chance of the match when Dembele took the ball down, created space to shoot and drew a low stop from 38-year-old Raul Navas.

Rodgers's first 45 minutes as Celtic boss ended goalless, though, and things soon got even worse when the Red Imps took a shock lead just three minutes after the restart.

Efe Ambrose had put in an unconvincing first-half showing, and he was once again at fault for the opener as he failed to cut out a pass to Lee Casciaro, who turned away from the Celtic defender before poking his finish past Gordon.

The same player - a part-time policeman - had also scored past the Scottish national team for Gibraltar, writing his name into the history books with his country's first ever competitive goal.

One very nearly became two moments later as Lincoln began to take the game to the Scottish champions, with Calderon Vallejo powering into the box before cutting inside and curling an effort narrowly over the crossbar.

It continued to be the home side who looked most like scoring, with Gordon again called into action to keep Patino Blasco's long-range strike out shortly before the hour mark.

Celtic responded immediately this time, though, coming within inches of levelling things up when Leigh Griffiths's shot from inside the area deflected against the crossbar.

The visitors, who were crowned champions of Europe in 1967, continued to look for a goal that would spare their blushes, but Stuart Armstrong blazed another chance over the crossbar with 20 minutes remaining after he combined with James Forrest.

Rodgers would have been beginning to think that it wasn't his day when Celtic hit the woodwork for a second time in the 78th minute, though, and again it came from Griffiths as the striker's free kick struck the bar before Nir Bitton failed to turn the rebound goalwards.

Substitute Nadir Ciftci was the next to go close for the Bhoys, but there was still no way through as Navas parried the striker's header away from goal in the closing stages.

Ciftci had one more chance at the death which he could only head over as Lincoln Red Imps held on for the most famous result in their history, while Rodgers's reign got off to the worst possible start.

ID:276631: cacheID:276631:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6276:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Brendan Rodgers, manager of Liverpool looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on September 26, 2015 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Read Next:
Rodgers "looking forward" to Celtic bow
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool440012
2Sporting Lisbon431010
3Brest431010
4Inter Milan431010
5Monaco431010
6Barcelona43019
7Dortmund43019
8Aston Villa43019
9Atalanta42208
10Juventus42117
11Lille42117
12Man City42117
13Arsenal42117
14B. Leverkusen42117
15Celtic42117
16Dinamo Zagreb42117
17AC Milan42026
18Bayern42026
19Benfica42026
20Feyenoord42026
21Real Madrid42026
22Brugge42026
23Atletico42026
24PSV41215
25Sparta Prague41124
26Stuttgart41124
27PSG41124
28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
30Salzburg41033
31Bologna40131
32RB Leipzig40040
33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
35Red Star40040
36Slovan Bratislava40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!