Celtic Player Ratings: Valencia (A)

Ten-man Celtic slipped out of the Europa League in Valencia despite a brave away performance as Kevin Gameiro grabbed the only goal of the game.

Brendan Rodgers went with a changed shape for this one with three at the back and Jeremy Toljan and Jonny Hayes playing as wing-backs. This seemed to work early on as the Hoops were confident and purposeful in possession.

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors as Ryan Christie’s corner dropped nicely for Kristoffer Ajer to volley towards goal. His shot was blocked before he fired over with his second attempt.

Celtic continued their positive start past the half-hour mark when Oliver Burke closed down makeshift defender Francis Coquelin and looked to be through on goal, but his touch let him down.

However, the turning point in the game came 10 minutes before half-time when Toljan received his marching orders after two yellows for two pull-backs on the Valencia attackers, the second of which seemed a little harsh with the German on the ground.

With a man advantage, Valencia had the Hoops hemmed in and forced a couple of smart saves from Scott Bain.

Marcelino’s men came out firing in the second half with the opener looking likely with every attack, but Celtic stood firm in their defending.

Ajer then found himself on the end of another chance, perhaps the clearest of the game, as he beat the goalkeeper to Christie’s delivery but got too much on the header from just yards out.

After 70 minutes, the Celtic resistance was finally broken as a terrific cross-field pass picked out Daniel Wass in behind Hayes, who nodded for substitute Gameiro to poke home.

Celtic did the travelling support proud with a gutsy performance with 10 men for most of the game, but the damage was ultimately done last week in Glasgow. 

Here’s how we rated the players after the 1-0 defeat.