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By Thomas McGuigan
A bruising night for the three Scottish clubs, who all crash out of Europe before the end of August. Here's hoping Rangers and Scotland can offer some much-needed cheer in the coming months. Thanks for your company, we're back at the weekend for the next round of SPL games. Cheers!
"We were poor throughout the spine of the team and I will take responsibility for that. I thought the first penalty was dubious and the second one was a defensive error. We keep giving away cheap goals. We had a two-goal lead going into the game. It's a mentality thing and we have to bridge that." Celtic boss Neil Lennon
2139: Tonight started with such optimism but all three Scottish clubs bow out of the Europa League after failing to make the group stage. Only Rangers will be flying the flag for Scotland in Europe beyond a sorry summer for Scots clubs.
2138: FULL-TIME MOTHERWELL 0-1 ODENSE
2136: "Another night of embarrassment for Scotland in Europe. No wonder all the Europeans want drawn against us. Rangers and Scotland won't fare any better." Sam Ross in Stirling by text.
2133: A correction on the red card from Fir Park, it was in fact Anders Moller Christensen who received Odense's second red card. We're into four minutes of injury time.
2130: "What a chance. Jamie Murphy will think about that for a long, long time." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Chick Young
2128: Jamie Murphy misses from the penalty spot as the club's leading European goalscorer hits the post and keeper Roy Carroll gobbles up the rebound. Is that Motherwell's chance gone?
2127: Penalty for Motherwell! A handball by Hans Henrik Andreasen in the box means a spot kick for Well and second yellow card for the midfielder. Odense down to nine men!
2124: The Steelmen need two goals in the remaining 10 minutes to offer some cheer on a horrendous night in Europe for Scottish teams.
2122: Motherwell continue to attack 10-man Odense as they frantically chase a breakthrough...
2121: Jubilant Utrecht players hug in torrential rain as Celtic players, head bowed, trudge off the pitch as Neil Lennon's side make an embarrassing exit from Europe. Utrecht win 4-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate.
2119: FULL-TIME UTRECHT 4-0 CELTIC
2117: RED CARD Odense's Espen Ruud is giving his marching orders after receiving a second booking.
2116: Utrecht spurn a great chance to make it five as the back-tracking Kayal thwarts Van Wolfswinkel - this has been a real bloody nose for Celtic.
2115: Roy Carroll frustrates Nick Blackman again with an excellent stop from the Motherwell striker.
2113: Nick Blackman's downward header is gathered by Roy Carroll as another chance slips away for Motherwell.
2111:
From madscot125 on My Sport:
"Motherwell have played well but not been clinical enough but I do agree in general, Scottish football is poor. I play here in Spain in the amateurs and even that is a class above."
2108: Marc-Antoine Fortune's hooked shot fails to seriously trouble Vorm. We've got eight minutes remaining in Utrecht. Celtic manager Neil Lennon looks on, ashen-faced.
2107: "Motherwell are giving it their all but can't find a second goal." BBC Scotland pundit Chick Young
2106: Every Utrecht pass is accompanied by an Ole from the jubilant home fans. They're loving this and it's brutal viewing for the Celtic fans inside the stadium.
2104: "I'm embarrassed, and humiliated by the Scottish representation in Europe, with only Dundee United managing to salvage any sort of 'pride'." Jack in Durham by text to 80295
2101: Celtic have 14 minutes remaining to salvage something from this game but they are looking odds on to bow out of Europe with a humiliating drubbing at the hands of Utrecht.
2059: "Still, a draw away from home in Europe for a relatively inexperienced side is very respectable. Even if they didn't have to contend with the hostile atmosphere usually felt at Greek grounds. Over the tie, though, AEK deserve to go through. They were a class above." BBC Scotland's David McDaid sums up in Athens
2058: More pressure from Motherwell at Fir Park. Tom Hateley and Steven Saunders both have efforts blocked. Can the Steelmen turn it around?
2056:
From macnaughten on My Sport:
"Celtic are simply appalling. How can you not defend a 2-0 lead! This must rank as close to the most humiliating night in Europe...To a team finishing 6th in the Dutch league last year!"
2054: Utrecht striker Ricky Van Wolfswinkel almost scores his fourth of the night. Again, he finds himself in acres of space and his shot narrowly spins past the left-hand post.
Utrecht goal: Chaos reigns in the Celtic defence in Utrecht. They are surely down and out of Europe now as substitute Barry Maguire drills a crisp low shot from about 20 yards beyond Zaluska's reach. The rampant Dutch now lead 4-2 on aggregate and look hungry for more.
2051: Dundee United draw 1-1 on the night in Athens but bow out of the Europa League before the group stage, losing 2-1 on aggregate.
2049: GOAL! UTRECHT 4-0 CELTIC (BARRY MAGUIRE)
2047: FULL-TIME AEK ATHENS 1-1 DUNDEE UNITED
2046: "There's a wee bit more urgency from Celtic and they're not letting Utrecht settle." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Murdo MacLeod
2045: Cha Du Ri finds himself in space wide on the right but his poor cross is easily snuffed out by Utrecht and Celtic have offered nothing going forward in 60 minutes of this game.
2044: We're into three minutes of stoppage time in Athens.
2041: Celtic captain Scott Brown is withdrawn and Shaun Maloney is brought on to try to salvage the side's European hopes this season.
2040: "Five hundred Dundonians are going crazy in their corner high up in the Karaiskakis Stadium. "Put your hands up" they chant as Daly slides in to get them right back in the tie." BBC Scotland's David McDaid in Athens
Utrecht goal: The Dutch are rampant and now lead the tie after slicing through the Celtic defence like butter a full minute into the second half. Ricky van Wolfswinkel keeps his composure as bumblebees buzz chaotically round about him and he arrows a beautiful shot into the corner of the net to seal his hat-trick.
2034: HALF-TIME MOTHERWELL 0-1 ODENSE
United goal: The visitors equalise on the night in Athens as striker Jon Daly stabs the ball home past the onrushing Sebastian Saja. United trail 2-1 on aggregate.
GOAL! UTRECHT 3-0 CELTIC (VAN WOLFSWINKEL)
2031: GOAL! AEK ATHENS 1-1 DUNDEE UNITED (JON DALY)
2029: "Celtic are still in it and they need one goal to turn the tie around. But we haven't seen the Celtic of the previous two matches. I don't know whether it's nerves but it's just not happening." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Murdo MacLeod
2026: The home fans packed inside Fir Park are urging their side forward in the hope of finding an equaliser on the night and breathing new life into their Europa League challenge.
2024: "Big cheers from the United fans as Danny Swanson makes his first appearance of the season, coming on for David Robertson - also making his season debut. Swanson was one of United's top performers last term and has been missed because of injury and suspension." BBC Scotland's David McDaid in Athens
From bringthemonjpn on My Sport:
"Come on now. A bit of magic from the Scottish teams. or someone to use a bit of magic on their behalf. Don't care which it is, but let's get some goals." I'm sure I've got a contact number for The Great Soprendo. We need something special here...
2018: "Neil Lennon spent the majority of that first half in the dugout with his head in his hands." BBC Radio Scotland's Chris McLaughlin trackside in Utrecht
2017: HALF-TIME UTRECHT 2-0 CELTIC
2016: No further goals in Athens but it's looking bleak for Scotland's three clubs hoping to make the group stage of the Europa League.
Odense goal: Nightmare for 'Well at Fir Park. Peter Utaka scores with the Danes first real chance of the evening, slamming the ball home from a corner. Odense lead 2-0 on aggregate.
2014: GOAL! MOTHERWELL 0-1 ODENSE (PETER UTAKA)
2011: Utrecht come within a whisker of scoring a third goal as Dries Mertens ghosts in at the back post but his shot hits the bar and goes over for a goal kick. Celtic defence is posted missing once again.
2010: Two bookings in Utrecht as the game threatens to boil over. Celtic skipper Scott Brown and Dries Mertens go into the book following an angry clash.
2008: Celtic striker Marc-Antoine Fortune spurns a chance to cross into the box, blasting a shot high and wide. That's got more chance of taking out someone's bovril in the stand than rippling the net. We've got eight minutes left of a shocking first half for Neil Lennon's troops.
2007: Motherwell's free-kick specialist Tom Hateley beats the Odense wall with his latest attempt but goalkeeper Roy Carroll gathers well.
2006: Celtic are enduring a wretched first half in Utrecht. Central defender Daniel Majstorovic sends a five-yard pass to team-mate Cha Du Ri out for a throw in. A howler!
2005: A goal for United early in the second half in Athens and you just never know...
2003: The omens are not good for Celtic. They have won just once away in Europe in 27 matches. Still, a 2-1 defeat would do here if they can get a goal.
1959: The second half in Athens gets under way, time for Utd fans to hide behind the sofa.
1957: "What I'd like to see from Celtic is see Forrest play on the right and bring Fortune to the left. I don't think the Utrecht left-back is the quickest and nothing is working for Celtic at the moment." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Murdo MacLeod
1956: Celtic assistant coach Alan Thompson speeds from the dugout to cajole his shattered troops and urge cool heads in the face of ferocious Utrecht attacks.
1954: "The players need to slow the game down and remember that they need one goal between now and full-time to go through." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Murdo MacLeod
1952: Chris Humphrey slices the ball wide after being found by John Sutton. Motherwell on top so far in the early exchanges in front of a packed Fir Park.
Utrecht goal: Lukasz Zaluska takes man and ball, sending Mertens flying and Utrecht are awarded another penalty. The Polish keeper is booked for his trouble and Dries Van Wolfswinkel fires home his second of the game. Utrecht have torpedoed Celtic's first leg advantage - Neil Lennon's men are crumbling...
1950: GOAL! UTRECHT 2-0 CELTIC (VAN WOLFSWINKEL)
1949: Penalty for Utrecht...
1948: Early claim for handball in the Odense box as a Motherwell free-kick is blocked by the Danes. Keith Lasley, in the end, had a shot that comes to nothing for the home side.
1947:We're under way at Fir Park. Come on you three Scottish teams, let's be having you!
1946: "Fantastic crowd tonight. Motherwell need to go out and get the job done." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Craig Paterson
1945: HALF-TIME AEK ATHENS 1-0 DUNDEE UNITED (2-0 AGG)
Utrecht goal: A defensive disaster for Celtic. The Utrecht captain Michael Silberbauer is felled inside the box by Jos Hooiveld and Van Wolfswinkel fires the penalty past the helpless Lukasz Zaluska.
1942: GOAL! UTRECHT 1-0 CELTIC (VAN WOLFSWINKEL)
1940: What a chance for Utrecht. Goal machine and number 9 van Wolfswinkel sclaffs a shot in front of goal when it looked easier to score!
1938: Mertens, Utrecht's speed merchant wide on the left is trying to force his way into the game. He was pick of the bunch from the Dutch side in the first leg in Glasgow. But the sodden conditions are making it difficult for either side to establish any rhythm.
1936: Greek football trivia: the derby between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos is known as the derby of the eternal enemies...which sounds a bit cooler than the Old Firm...or the Kincardine Bridge derby.
1935: If proceedings in Athens are subdued, the atmosphere in Utrecht is positively crackling. The hosts are up for this, make no mistake. Celtic, in their away bumblebee kit will have to weather another storm...
1933: "There was two or three hours of heavy rain but the pitch thankfully survived an inspection." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Murdo MacLeod
1932: "That goal was too easy for AEK. They've cut United open a few times from open play but failed to score. Peter Houston will be annoyed that his players failed to challenge Bouba Diop from the corner. United fans - the only fans in here - are still in good voice. Actually, so are the Greek press pack who abandoned all traces of impartiality when the ball hit the back of the net..." BBC Scotland's David McDaid in Athens
1931: We're under way in Utrecht.
1930: The PA system in Utrecht is now belting out a quick blast of Euro techno: takes me back to my raving days, ahem...
1929: The pipes and drums are being belted out in Utrecht - Scotland the Brave, if I'm not mistaken. The players are shaking hands and we're almost under way.
1928: Dundee United midfielder Prince Buaben blazes the ball over - a chance for United. "Eagerly applauded by the Utd fans despite the fact it almost ended up in the Mediterranean," says our man in Athens Jim Spence.
1927: Utrecht and Celtic players make their way down the tunnel and we're minutes away from kick-off in the Netherlands.
1924: "I fear it will be very difficult for United to find a way back. United just don't have the class to cope with this level of opposition." BBC Scotland's Jim Spence in Athens
AEK Athens goal: Oh no. Dundee United fail to deal with a corner and Papa Bouba Diop forces the ball home from close range. The Greeks lead 2-0 on aggregate.
1912: Craig Conway's foray into AEK Athens territory fizzles out as the visitors look to play their way into this second leg.
1908: "There's a really bizarre atmosphere here at Karaiskakis Stadium in Pireaus. It seats 33,500 people... but there are about 33,000 empty seats and the only noise comes from a tiny corner filled with Dundee United fans - who are chanting: "Can you hear the Athens sing?" None of AEK's fans are here, of course, amid vandalism fears if they were allowed to enter the home of their great rivals Olympiakos." BBC Scotland's David McDaid in Athens
1907: Argentine striker Nacho Scocco blazes over the bar from about 16 yards after finding himself in space in front of Dusan Pernis's goal. Dangerous times for United, who are of course searching for an away goal.
1904: FC Utrecht v Celtic team news Utrecht: Vorm, Cornelisse, Nesu, Schut, Silberbauer, Mertens, Asare, Lensky, Wuytens, Duplan, van Wolfswinkel. Subs: Sinouh, Oar, Van Der Maarel, Maguire, Keller, Nijholt, Sarota. Celtic: Zaluska, Juarez, Majstorovic, Hooiveld, Cha, Samaras, Brown, Ledley, Kayal, Fortune, Forrest. Subs: Cervi, Maloney, Ki, McCourt, Loovens, Murphy, Conroy. Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)
1902: AEK Athens come flying out the traps in the opening moments and force a corner which the United defence successfully repel. An eerily quiet Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, in stark contrast to the pulsating grounds we usually witness when Greek sides are involved in European competition.
1859: AEK Athens v Dundee United teams AEK Athens Sebastian Saja, Manolas, Jahic, Georgeas, Lagos, Diop, Makos, Kafes, Scocco, Leonardo, Djebbour. Subs: Arampatzis, Dadomo, Karabelas, Blanco, Eder Luis, Burns, Gentsoglou. Dundee Utd: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Kenneth, Watson, Conway, Scott Robertson, David Robertson, Buaben, Gomis, Cadamarteri. Subs: Banks, Dods, Daly, Swanson, Douglas, Casalinuovo, Goodwillie.
Referee: Libor Kovarik (Czech Rep)
1858: With United's game just about to get under way in Greece, a bit of transfer news for Celtic fans. BBC Scotland has learned that Celtic manager Neil Lennon is closing in on Hibs striker Anthony Stokes and is also keeping tabs on Israeli international Etey Shechter.
1857: "A great night for Dundee United, but what a pity only about 500 United supporters are inside the stadium to witness it." BBC Radio Scotland commentator Jim Spence in Athens
1851:
From Nappeunnom On My Sport:
"Celtic to draw 1-1 and sail through to the next stages, dreamt it last night..." I'm dreaming of all three Scottish clubs breezing through to the group stage tonight!
1845: Speaking of Scottish clubs, Rangers fans can look forward to facing Manchester United again in the Champions League. Walter Smith's side have also been drawn alongside Valencia and Turkish outfit Bursaspor
in a very tasty looking Group C
1841: Celtic take a 2-0 lead to the Netherlands to face Utrecht and Motherwell host Odense at Fir Park, trailing 2-1 from the first leg. The stage is set for a glorious night for Scottish clubs in Europe...
1839: The build-up to United's game in Athens has bordered on the farcical.
Only Dundee Utd fans
will be allowed inside the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium amid fears of crowd trouble.
1834: Dundee United team news from Athens Peter Houston makes two changes as his side look to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit against AEK Athens. Danny Cadamarteri and David Robertson come in for David Goodwillie and Jon Daly. Dundee United: Pernis, Watson, Dixon, Kenneth, Dillon, Scott Robertson, Gomis, Conway, David Robertson, Buaben, Cadamarteri. Subs Banks, Swanson, Dods, Barry Douglas, Casalinuovo, Daly and Goodwillie.
1830: Welcome to the text commentary covering the three Scottish teams involved in Europa League qualifiers.
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Classic SPL - Motherwell 3-3 Celtic
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