Celtic rescued by Rosenborg

CELTIC advanced to the last 32 of the Europa League despite a howler from Craig Gordon and a 2-1 defeat by RB Salzburg. Brendan Rodgers’ side needed a draw to qualify but sealed their spot in Monday’s draw thanks to a late equaliser from Rosenborg’s Tore Reginiussen to seal an unlikely draw against Group B winners RB Leipzig. But storied rivals Rangers were not quite so fortunate, with their 1-0 defeat by Rapid Vienna ending their interest in Europe’s second-tier competition. ‘We’ve worked hard and got through a hard, hard group and for us to get European football yet again after Christmas is fantastic,’ said midfielder Scott Brown. ‘We didn’t get the result we wanted tonight but we have managed to qualify.’ After getting an arm to but failing to keep out Moanes Dabbur’s headed opener in the 67th minute, Gordon had his own Loris Karius moment. Liverpool keeper Karius gifted Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema a goal in the Champions League final by throwing him the ball and Gordon did the same to Frederik Gulbrandsen. It looked to have completed a miserable night for Celtic after Kristoffer Ajer missed a late sitter and a leg injury to midfielder Ryan Christie, who left the pitch on a stretcher. But Reginiussen’s goal changed the mood in Celtic Park. A late Celtic goal from Olivier Ntcham added to the jubilation. Earlier, Rangers lost in Austria after a goal from Rapid Vienna’s Dejan Ljubicic in the 84th minute enough to settle the tie. Bitterly disappointed Rangers boss Steven Gerrard promised to bring in some fresh faces. ‘To compete at this level, with ambitions to go further than the group, it’s obvious to me that the players need some help. ‘That means obviously quality players that can come in and help,’ he added. Group G winners Villarreal advanced with Vienna.