Celtic fail to take Champions League chance

PARIS, Aug 27 (AFP): A late goal by Brazilian forward Tavares gave Maribor a 1-0 win in Glasgow Tuesday as the Slovenians progressed to the Champions League group stage and dumped Celtic out.

The Scottish champions were only in this tie after an administrative error saw Legia Warsaw's convincing win against Ronny Deila's side in the third qualifying round overturned.

But rather than seize their second chance with both hands, Celtic proved that they did not belong among Europe's elite despite coming away from Slovenia with a 1-1 draw in last week's first leg.

They were made to pay in the 75th minute when a wicked cross from the visitors' left was not dealt with and Tavares-a prolific goal-scorer over the last six years with Maribor-pounced to send a looping shot over the despairing dive of Craig Gordon and into the net.

Virgil van Dijk had the chance to force extra time at the death, but Jasmin Handanovic made an excellent save after the Dutchman had chested down a cross from the right and volleyed goalward from eight yards.

Maribor, who came through two previous qualifying rounds to reach this stage, can now look forward to appearing in the group stage for the first time, while Celtic must make do with the Europa League, which will come as little consolation to their fans, who greeted the full-time whistle in Glasgow's East End with a loud chorus of boos.

Deila admitted his side didn't deserve to go through.

"I think the first half was not good enough. There was too little energy and aggression," the Norwegian said.

"In the second half we went out a lot more aggressive and it was more even but they were more effective than us. In the end we haven't been good enough and that's what we have to work on."