Europa League review: More misery for Celtic and Rangers as Glasgow giants suffer defeat

Celtic are already playing catch-up in the Europa League after a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Braga tonight.

With off-field disharmony dominating the agenda, Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers would have hoped his team could provide some cheer but it did not turn out that way with Celtic now standing with just one point from their first two league phase games.

The Portuguese visitors went ahead when Ricardo Hota’s dipping shot deceived Kasper Schmeichel and the crowd sensed it was not to be the home side’s night when Kelechi Iheanacho had a goal mystifyingly ruled out by VAR.

Braga rode their luck but added a second late on through substitute Gabri Martinez.

Rodgers told TNT Sports: “We conceded the goal and, after that, we never recovered in the first half.

“The second half… we were much better. We had chances, but of course, when you’re chasing the game, they break and they get the second goal. So, a really disappointing performance for us.”

Rangers beaten again in Austria

The only consolation for Celtic fans at the minute is the fact arch-rivals Rangers are in an even bigger mess.

Russell Martin’s position will come under further scrutiny following tonight’s 2-1 defeat at Sturm Graz.

Rangers were 2-0 down at half-time, Graz in command thanks to goals from Tomi Horvat and Otar Kiteishvili. Djeidi Gassama pulled one back but, despite lots of pressure, Rangers could not conjure up an equaliser.

Rangers defender Derek Cornelius told TNT Sports: “We didn’t start well. We were naive and found ourselves down at 2-0 and then we were chasing the game.

“I don’t know what the problem is. It seems like there’s moments where everyone is switched on and tuned in and then it can switch, I don’t know why.

“We can’t be accepting of that. We can’t be like this. We need to react.”

To complete a miserable night for Scottish football, Aberdeen were also beaten, 3-2 at home by Shakhtar Donetsk.

Ozer’s triple penalty save stuns Roma

Roma have made a slow start to the league phase, suffering a 1-0 defeat at home to Lille tonight.

Hákon Arnar Haraldsson scored early on for Les Dogues but goalkeeper Berke Ozer was the hero, saving a thrice-taken penalty to preserve the Ligue 1 side’s advantage. The first two spot-kicks from Artem Dovbyk were retaken due to encroachment while the third from Matias Soule did count.

Lille are one of seven teams to have a 100% record after two games.

Aston Villa, 2-0 winners at Feyenoord tonight, and Midtjylland, who beat Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest 3-2, also have perfect records, as do Dinamo Zagreb, Braga, Lyon and Porto.

Dinamo beat Maccabi Tel-Aviv 3-1, Lyon eased past RB Salzburg 2-0 and Porto edged out Red Star Belgrade 2-1.