Celtic vs. Maribor: Final score 0-1, Celtic knocked out of Champions League

Celtic have been eliminated from the 2014-15 Champions League after a 1-0 loss at home against Maribor. Marcos Tavaras was the hero for the Slovenian side as he scored with 15 minutes to play to give his team the win. It’s just the second time in club history they’ve advanced to the group stages, and the first time in 15 years.

Celtic started the match strong and pinned Maribor deep for the first 15 minutes as the visitors seemed content to absorb the early pressure. The Hoops came close to grabbing an early lead twice, including a near own goal off a short cross from the end line that was cleared just wide of the post.

Maribor settled down as the first half progressed, but Celtic continued to get the better chances on goal. In the 23rd minute, goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovic got caught in no man’s land on a corner kick, leaving the net open for Virgil van Dijk. The defender’s header was off target though, rolling just wide of the post.

The first good chance for the Slovenian side arrived in the 29th minute when Mitja Viler cut inside and tried to beat Craig Gordon toward the far post. The Celtic keeper made a save on the shot, but the rebound went right to Marcos Tavares. The Maribor striker didn’t have to time to react though, only managing to chest the ball right back to Gordon.

Celtic’s grip on the game tightened in the second half and they came close again to a goal in the 56th minute when Alan McGregor’s short-range one-timer hammered off the crossbar.

After all the wasted chances by Celtic, it was inevitable that Maribor would finally break through and take the lead. In the 75th minute, a cross from the left wing led to a scramble in the 18-yard-box as Celtic desperately tried to clear the ball. After a couple chances for the Hoops to escape the danger, the ball fell to Marcos Tavaras who curled a shot up and over the outstretched arm of Gordon to make it 1-0.

The result drops Celtic to the Europa League as they fail to reach the UCL group stages for the third straight season.

No doubt Legia Warsaw fans are smiling.

Celtic: Gordon, Izaguirre, Ambrose, van Dijk, Mulgrew, Lustig (Boerrigter 72’), Kayal (Commons 46’), McGregor, Stokes, Berget (Matthews 66’), Johansen

Goals: None

Maribor: Handanovic, Suler, Rajcevic, Filipovic, Ibraimi, Vrsic (Bohar 83’), Viler, Stojanovic, Mertelj, Tavaras (Dervisevic 90’), Mendy

Goals: Tavaras (75’)