Celtic on the brink of Champions League exit after Slovan Bratislava defeat

Neil Lennon's side lose 3-1 in first leg of third qualifying round tie

Celtic are on the brink of a Champions League exit after a 3-1 defeat by Slovan Bratislava in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie.

Slovan took the lead in the 16th minute when ex-Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata scored with a header. Andraz Sporar doubled the lead five minutes later with a low drive, before Mohamed Elyounoussi made it 2-1 in the 25th minute.

However, Vladimir Weiss restored Slovan's two-goal advantage six minutes into the second half, and Celtic were unable to find a way back into the game. The result leaves Neil Lennon's side with a difficult task in the second leg at Celtic Park next week.

Celtic were poor in the first half, rarely threatening Slovan Bratislava's goal. However, they were more positive after the break, and Elyounoussi's goal gave them hope of a comeback.

But Weiss's goal ended the game as a contest, and Celtic will need to produce a major performance in the second leg if they are to avoid another early European exit.