It was a bruising Thursday night for Scottish clubs in Europe, with Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen all suffering defeats that have left their continental campaigns hanging by a thread – or, in two cases, effectively over.
Celtic were dismantled at home by Roma, Rangers fell to a familiar pattern of European disappointment away in Budapest, and Aberdeen’s Conference League hopes were extinguished at Pittodrie despite a spirited showing.
Nightmare First Half Sees Celtic Torn Apart by Roma
Celtic suffered a deflating 3-0 defeat at home to Roma, as Wilfried Nancy became the first manager in the club’s history to lose his opening two matches in charge.
After a turbulent start to his tenure that began with defeat to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership last weekend, Nancy endured an even harsher European baptism as his side were swept aside in a calamitous first half.
The Hoops fell behind early when Liam Scales inadvertently headed into his own net from a Roma corner, setting the tone for a dismal opening period.
This was followed by a constant pressure from the Italians, as they struck the post, called Celtic stopper Kasper Schmeichel into action and fired narrowly wide several times.
The misery was then compounded by a quickfire double from boyhood Celtic fan Evan Ferguson, who put the visitors firmly in the driving seat before the interval.
Celtic’s night was summed up deep into first-half stoppage time when Arne Engels struck the post from the penalty spot, squandering a rare chance to offer some hope heading into the break.
Ironic cheers from the travelling Roma support rang around Celtic Park moments before a chorus of boos accompanied the home side off the pitch in the pouring rain.
The second forty-five did bring some improvement for Nancy men, as Kelachi Iheanacho had the ball in the Roma net only for it to be ruled offside, however it was a case of far too little far too late.
The visitors thought they had a fourth when Jamaican Leon Bailey thundered home a stunning strike, but that too was disallowed, as the Italians to closed out the remaining minutes with little issues.
It was a far from ideal Europa League debut for new boss Wilfred Nancy, who now needs a big performance on Sunday in the League Cup final against St Mirren.
Defeat has dented Celtic’s hopes of progression, leaving Nancy’s side perilously placed just inside the qualification spots with two games remaining.
Rangers all-but out After Ferencváros Fightback in Budapest
Rangers’ Europa League campaign is on the brink after they slipped to a 2-1 defeat away to unbeaten Ferencváros, their fifth loss in six league-stage matches.
The hosts started the stronger of the two sides, flashing strikes wide and having a couple of efforts at goal but failing to properly test the Rangers goalkeeper.
And despite being second best for long spells in Budapest, it would be Danny Rohl’s side whop struck first against the run of play.
Striker Bojan Miovski producing a moment of real quality, acrobatically volleying home from close range to give the Gers an unlikely lead.
That advantage failed to last until half-time, with Ferencváros levelling through Bence Otvos, whose deflected effort found the bottom corner after the ball was cut back.
The hosts continued to dominate after the break, squandering several opportunities before their pressure eventually told.
With just under 20 minutes to go, Barnabas Varga rose unchallenged to nod in Callum O’Dowda’s cross and complete the turnaround.
Rangers pushed late on and came close to snatching a point through Findlay Curtis, but the youngster was denied by an excellent save from goalkeeper David Grof.
Still without a win in the competition, Rohl’s side must now beat both Ludogorets and Porto in their remaining fixtures and hope for results elsewhere to go their way.
Even then, progression appears highly unlikely, with seven points unlikely to be enough given the congestion above them.
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Aberdeen out Despite Spirited Display Against Strasbourg
Aberdeen exited the Conference League with a game to spare despite a spirited performance in a 1-0 defeat to group leaders Strasbourg at Pittodrie.
Knowing only a win would keep their slim hopes alive, Jimmy Thelin’s side started brightly and forced Mike Penders into a smart save early on.
Just minutes later the Dons thought that they had taken a deserved lead when Mats Knoester nodded home from a corner. However, the defender’s first Aberdeen goal was ruled out following a VAR check after the ball glanced off his arm.
The home side continued to probe and created the better chances, but their profligacy proved costly.
Against the run of play – and moments after Adil Aouchiche had gone within inches of the top corner at the other end – Strasbourg struck on the counter attack.
Martial Godo capitalised on a long ball and an error from Nicky Devlin to slot home into the Aberdeen net and drain the energy from Pittodrie.
Aberdeen kept pushing, with Knoester again testing the goalkeeper and Marko Lazetic failing to convert from close range after the break.
However the visitors had some chances of their own too, a close range header and a deflected strike from distance calling Dimitar Mitov into acrobatic saves.
Aberdeen fullback Nicky Devlin then conceded a penalty after colliding with Godo in the box, but Strasbourg were unable to extend their lead, with Dimitar Mitov again producing a fine save to deny Ismael Doukoure from the spot.
It ultimately mattered little, as Liam Rosenior’s side left the north east with all three points, eliminating Aberdeen in the process and bringing the curtain down on the Dons’ European campaign without a single victory.
Featured Image Credit: Thomas Nugent via Wikimedia
