A DANISH PASTING

Celtic are humbled by league phase leaders in killer first-half blitz

- BY ANDY SIMS

CELTIC'S revival under Martin O'Neill came juddering to a halt in Jutland after they were thumped by Midtjylland.

The Hoops’ hopes of prolonging their Europa League campaign into the knockout stages suffered a major blow as the Danes hammered in three goals in eight first-half minutes.

Teenage substitute Callum Osmand won a late penalty which fellow replacement Reo Hatate converted.

But the 19-year-old was then taken off on a stretcher in tears after suffering what appeared to be a hamstring injury on a horrible evening for the Scottish champions.

O'Neill had seen how dangerous Midtjylland can be first hand just last month when they beat Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest, before the 73-year-old answered the call to return to Celtic after Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation.

They had travelled to the Danish city of Herning with a sense of optimism too.