By Alan Duffy
Celtic 0-1 NK Maribor (Agg: 1-2) – Champions League Qualifiers 2nd Leg – 26th August 2014
Celtic’s 2-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Slovenian side Maribor could be viewed as some kind of footballing justice after the Scottish sides benefited from an administrative error by Legia Warsaw despite being well and truly battered by the Poles. However, just or not, this home capitulation to Maribor will have even more of the Hoops’ faithful questioning the appointment of manager Ronny Deila.
Having secured a decent draw in the first leg away in Slovenia, Celtic were favourites to book their place in the Champions League proper. However, Marcos Tavares’ goal on 75 minutes, after the Bhoys had struggled to threaten the visitors’ goal, proved to be enough to knock out the Scottish giants.
Centre-half Virgil van Dijk had a great chance late on but overall the Scots didn’t really deserve to get anything from the game. With a potential £14million Champions League pay-out lost, the pressure on Bhoys’ boss Delia continues to increase…
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Photos: PA
Highlights: Footytube