Celtic face uphill battle to qualify after home defeat

Kolo Toure was guilty of two errors for the hosts as Lars Stindl and Andre Hahn found the net for the German side

Celtic have a mountain to climb to ensure they will be involved in European football after Christmas after a home defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach.

The Hoops drew with Manchester City last time out but were a shadow of that side as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat.

Goals from Lars Stindl and Andre Hahn secured the win for the visitors, reports the Daily Record.

The defeat is Celtic’s first in 23 home games, stretching back to a 2-1 defeat against Motherwell in December 2015.

An early stop from Scott Sinclair apart, German keeper Yann Sommer barely had a save to make, although former Aston Villa star Sinclair scorned a glorious chance to put his side in front on the stroke of half-time when he fired over the top.

Craig Gordon was much the busier keeper and made a series of fine first half stops, but his goal was breached when Stindl fired through his legs on 57 minutes, with Hahn adding the decisive second on 77 minutes.

Kolo Toure was exposed at both goals as the Celtic defence were given an uncomfortable night, with Kieran Tierney also under pressure on the left on several occasions.

Celtic travel to Germany for the return fixture in a fortnight but, with just one win from their opening three group stage games, they are now odds on for the group wooden spoon.