Celtic knocked out of Europe despite win
Maloney got Celtic's opener against Villarreal in their 2-0 win
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Wednesday, 10, Dec 2008 10:38
Celtic have been knocked out of European competition for this season despite winning 2-0 at home to Villarreal in their final Champions League group game.
The Bhoys finished bottom of group E after Aalborg earned a 2-2 draw against Manchester United to pip Gordon Strachan's side to third place by one point.
It was Celtic's first win of the tournament following disappointing displays during this year's competition.
Both of their goals came in the first half, Shaun Maloney got the opener after 15 minutes and Aiden McGeady made sure of the points just before the break.
Celtic's task was made all the easier after the Spanish side had Guille Franco sent off midway through the first half.
The opening period was well contested, with Villarreal gunning for top spot in the group.
Maloney got an early strike on goal for the home side before Franco tested Celtic Artur Boruc with a fierce shot.
Celtic defender Andreas Hinkel then had to be alert to block a goal-bound effort from Ariel Ibagaza to keep the scores level.
That proved important when the Bhoys went ahead soon after. Villarreal goalkeeper Sebastian Viera failed to hold on to Mark Wilson's cross allowing Maloney to head into an empty net.
But the Spanish side continued to attack and Celtic needed good blocks from Hinkel and Stephen McManus to preserve their lead.
The turning point in the match came when Franco was sent off for violent conduct as he tussled off the ball with Gary Caldwell.
McGeady then doubled Celtic's lead on the stroke of half time. The winger raced though the Villarreal defence having picked the ball up on the halfway line before unleashing a shot from 18 yards out which nestled in the top corner.
Despite having a comfortable lead and playing against ten men Celtic continued to play at pace during the second half but could not find a third goal.
Shunsuke Nakamura and Scott Brown both brought saves from Viera, while Nihat Kahveci had a rare strike on goal for the visitors.
Caldwell almost made it 3-0 close to full time but his header from Paul Hartley's corner was cleared off the line by Viera.