Celtic fail to make group stages of Champions League after Malmo loss

Celtic have exited the Champions League at the playoff stage following a 2-0 second-leg defeat to Malmo this evening, losing 4-3 on aggregate.

Jo Inge Berget, who scored twice in the first leg last week, almost set up his strike partner Markus Rosenberg in the 10th minute, but the forward couldn't stretch enough to connect with the cross.

Nonetheless, Rosenberg put his side ahead 13 minutes later with a powerful header from a corner to give Malmo the lead on aggregate.

There was a flurry of activity as half time approached, with Rosenberg almost netting his second before Dedryck Boyata made a brave block.

Then, the referee caused controversy by disallowing a Nir Bitton goal for a foul on the goalkeeper.

However, Celtic were grateful to go in at the break just a goal down as Nikola Djurdjic couldn't convert from Berget's pull-back, before Craig Gordon denied the midfielder with a reaction save in first-half stoppage time.

Rosenberg squandered the chance to double his side's lead just after the break as he rolled a shot wide when found in space.

Gordon performed more heroics a few moments later with a double save, but he couldn't claw Felipe Carvalho's header away in time after Boyata's attempted clearance only forced the ball over the line.

Celtic showed plenty of endeavour as they looked for a route back into the tie, but in truth they could only muster half-chances, leaving Malmo to celebrate at the final whistle.