Toothless Celtic facing stern test after stalemate
● Norwegians give Rodgers’ side more than a fright in Glasgow ● Striker Leigh Griffiths expected to be restored for second leg
Celtic face a stern examination of their nerve and resilience in Trondheim next week if they are to retain their ambitions of a place in the Champions League group stage for a second consecutive season.
The Scottish champions discovered that operating without both of their leading strikers, the injured Moussa Dembele and needlessly suspended Leigh Griffiths, was more difficult than manager Brendan Rodgers had anticipated.
A blunt-edged performance from Celtic saw them forced to settle for a goalless draw which leaves this third qualifying round tie hanging in the balance ahead of the second leg at Rosenborg’s Lerkendal Stadium next Wednesday.
Rodgers’ side had cause to be relieved the outcome was no worse as the Norwegian champions may yet come to regret squandering several premium chances to claim a precious away goal.
It was an evening which provided a significant test of Rodgers’ faith in the strength and versatility of his squad. Ultimately, it did not deliver the vindication he would have desired.
As Rodgers had hinted in the build-up, Tom Rogic was chosen to fill the gap up front left by the absence of Dembele and Griffiths, while 19-year-old Kristoffer Ajer was handed his maiden starting appearance for the first team.
The young Norwegian, who excelled in central defence while on loan at Kilmarnock last season, looked assured on the biggest night of his career so far as he was tasked with keeping tabs on the most recognisable figure in the Rosenborg line-up, former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.
On a night which became one of often disjointed toil, Celtic actually made a decent enough start, controlling possession and forcing the pace of the contest in what has become their customary manner under Rodgers.
Olivier Ntcham, looking to build on his eye-catching debut against Linfield seven days earlier, carved out the first opening for the hosts in the 10th minute. The French midfielder’s clever pass picked out Stuart Armstrong in the penalty area but his shot on the turn was well blocked by Rosenborg defender Tore Reginiussen.
Ajer was presented with the opportunity for a headlinegrabbing moment two minutes later but misjudged his header from an Armstrong corner.
His anguished reaction as the ball sailed over indicated just how good a chance it had been.
It had been an almost tentative start from the visitors but they gave the first indication of their attacking threat when Celtic switched off at a quickly taken throw-in. It allowed Milan Jevtovic to race into the penalty area where Jozo Simunovic did well to cut out the danger.
After another spell of patient and sustained possession, James Forrest saw a shot blocked. There was a lack of incision in much of Celtic’s work, however, and it encouraged Rosenborg to carry a greater sense of ambition.
A terrific move involving Anders Konradsen and Mike Jensen stretched the Celtic defence to create another chance for Jevtovic whose shot was blocked by Ajer.
Craig Gordon was then called into action for the first time when he reacted well to touch over a cross-cumshot from Konradsen in the aftermath of a free-kick conceded by Mikael Lustig. Celtic manufactured one more opening before halftime, Scott Sinclair and Kieran Tierney combining sharply down the left, but Forrest was unable to get enough purchase on his header which was easily gathered by Rosenborg keeper Andre Hansen.
There was a growing sense of unease and anxiety around the stadium which only intensified when Rosenborg made a lively start to the second half. Ntcham, being forced into more defensive duties than he would have liked, conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position with a foul on Birger Meling. From a sharp angle on the left of the penalty area, Vegar Hedenstad whipped in a fine effort on goal which was defied by an equally impressive reaction save from Gordon.
Worryingly for Celtic, the mercurial Bendtner was suddenly taking a greater interest in proceedings to bring even greater men ace to rosen borg’ s play. The big Dane headed over from a Hedenstad free-kick, then helped set up a glorious chance for Yann-erik de Lanlay who contrived to blaze his shot over from around eight yards. It was a huge reprieve for Celtic.
Rodgers recognised a change was required and responded by replacing Ntcham with Jonny Hayes in an effort to regain the initiative.
The former Aberdeen winger was pushed into the point of the attack with Rogic dropping off. Forrest drilled a shot narrowly wide as Celtic tried to inject fresh tempo and purpose into their play but Rosenborg continued to create the better chances with Bendtner unable to connect with Jensen’s cross from close range.
Hansen was finally forced into his first difficult save of the match after 77 minutes, diving to his right to keep out a powerful Armstrong shot, but in no sense were Rosenborg under strain at the back.
It was Rosenborg, however, who came closest to grabbing a late winner when substitute Elbasan Rashani’s stoppage time shot forced Gordon into what may yet prove to be a vital save in the context of the tie. CELTIC: Gordon, Lustig, Simunovic, Ajer, Tierney; Brown, Ntcham (Hayes 63); Forrest (Benyu 81), Armstrong, Sinclair; Rogic. Subs not used: De Vries, Bitton, Mcgregor, Ralston, Kouassi. ROSENBORG: Hansen, Hedenstad, Reginiussen (Bjordal 65), Skjelvik, Meling; Midtsjo, Konradsen, Jensen; Jevtovic (Rashani 79), Bendtner, De Lanlay (Vilhjalmsson 80). Subs not used: Ostbo, Rasmussen, Gersbach, Lundemo.
Brendan Rodgers is confident his players can replicate the away form they showed in their best Champions League displays last season in order to progress to the play-off round of this year’s competition.
Celtic were held to a 0-0 draw by Rosenborg in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie last night with the Norwegian champions creating the better scoring chances.
But Rodgers believes his team are suited to the task awaiting them in Trondheim next Wednesday where a scoring draw would be enough to take them into the play-off round.
“If we play like we did in Monchengladbach and at Manchester City, then we are through,” said the Celtic manager in reference to the 1-1 draws the Scottish champions secured in those group stage fixtures last year.
“Next week we can go there and play. There will be a bit more space. We will go there confident, knowing we can score goals. We look forward to it.”
Celtic struggled without strikers Moussa Dembele, likely to be sidelined by a hamstring injury until September, and Leigh Griffiths who has a calf injury on top of the suspension which ruled him out last night.
“It was a little bit frustrating we couldn’t get the win tonight,” added Rodgers. “But 0-0 is never a bad result in Europe. What’s important is that if you can’t score, then don’t concede.
“I was very pleased with the players in terms of being up against it without strikers and how they adapted to that. They showed an ability to be patient and look for openings. Chances can be few and far between at this level. We just needed that final ball.
“You can see Rosenborg are a good side. But they will also know they will want to come out a bit more at home, take the initiative, which opens up space for us.
“Last season, we scored more goals away from home. It’s still evenly balanced and we will be another week fitter for the second leg.
“I’m hopeful Leigh will be back for the second leg but we’ll see. He couldn’t have played tonight even if he had been available.”
Rosenborg coach Kare Ingebrigtsen had a slight sense of regret that his team had failed to convert any of the opportunities they created but believes they are now in a strong position to win the tie.
“Celtic dominated possession tonight, that was okay for us,” said Ingebrigtsen. “We could have put away one of those big chances and I felt we were the closest team to winning the game.
“I would have been more happy with 1-1, but I’ll take 0-0. Now it’s a cup final, it’s all about winning it next week. We go home with everything to play for. At home, we are even better than we were tonight.
“I’m more confident now. Celtic is still a big task for us but we are confident we can win the home game. It’s still 50-50, so we can leave Celtic as the favourites.”