Champions League: Celtic crash out of Europe after 3-0 defeat to AC Milan

Celtic crashed out of the UEFA Champions League and Europe after suffering a 3-0 defeat to AC Milan at Celtic Park.

Goals from Kaka, Cristian Zapata and Mario Balotelli were enough to give Milan all three points and knock the Scottish champions out of Europe before Christmas.

The Bhoys went into the game knowing it was a must-win encounter but were easily swept aside by Milan.

Celtic had chance of a goal after just three minutes when Derk Boerrigter got on the end of Charlie Mulgrew’s corner, but the Dutchman failed to connect with the ball properly.

Celtic were struggling to make any inroads into the Milan defence and the visitors looked dangerous on the break with Balotelli fizzing a shot just over the crossbar on 25 minutes after some fine approach play by Kaka.

Kaka, who was rolling back the years with an impressive performance, was inches from doubling the lead on 29 minutes when he saw his curling effort from the edge of the box fly just wide of the target.

Charlie Mulgrew had a decent opening for Celtic on 39 minutes when the ball fell to him inside the box, but his shot lacked the power to trouble Abbiati.

Celtic really should have drawn level two minutes after the restart when Mulgrew, after seeing his initial free-kick blocked, lifted the ball into the box for the unmarked Virgil van Dijk who volleyed his effort straight at Abbiati with the goal at his mercy.

The home side were made to pay for that miss on 49 minutes when a corner found substitute Antonio Nocerino free in the box and he played the ball back across the face of goal for Zapata to tap home at the far post. 

Celtic thought they had pulled a goal back two minutes later when van Dijk headed home Joe Ledley’s cross, but his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

Milan put the game beyond Celtic just before the hour mark when Riccardo Montolivo sent Balotelli clear on goal with a superb through ball and the former Manchester City striker held off Ambrose before slotting past Forster.

James Forrest had a chance to pull a goal back on 62 minutes when he got on the end of Mikael Lustig’s pass, but the winger could only stab his effort wide of the target to sum up Celtic’s night.