Basle end Bhoys' dream

Basle 2 Celtic 0 (Agg: 3-3, Basle win on away goals)

Swiss outfit FC Basle set their sights on a 2-0 win having grabbed a vital away goal at Parkhead a fortnight ago and they achieved it with first-half goals from Christian Gimenez and Murat Yakin to deny Celtic a place in the money-spinning group stages.

But manager Martin O'Neill may acknowledge he masterminded his own side's downfall by deploying four at the back.

With Basle looking to book their place in the Champions League for the first time in their history, a makeshift Celtic back four of Bobo Balde, Ulrik Laursen, Joos Valgaeren and Johan Mjallby found themselves under siege early on.

The Scottish champions would have gone a goal down after just three minutes but for a vital block tackle by Paul Lambert on Ivan Ergic in the box with his shot set for the net.

Moments later Bobo Balde had to make an important headed clearance from Gregory Duruz's cross with Julio Rossi lurking ominously behind him in the six-yard box.

The writing was on the wall for Celtic and they could have no complaints when they went behind after seven minutes.

Hakan Yakin slid the ball through to Christian Gimenez and he coolly slotted the ball past Douglas.

Two minutes later and the Swiss side were almost on level terms on aggregate with the Celtic defence once again easily exposed. Balde gave the ball away and was comfortably rounded by Rossi, but the Argentinian dragged his effort just past the upright.

The visiting defence was clearly in disarray, but the Bhoys almost pinched a vital away goal in the 17th minute.

Joos Valgaeren's throw brushed the head of Duruz and the ball came to Henrik Larsson six yards out, but he headed straight at keeper Pascal Zuberbuhler.

But the Hoops' night went from bad to worse in the 22nd minute when Basle pulled themselves back on level terms.

Sebastian Barberis swung a corner invitingly into the back post area and Murat Yakin came in forcefully to head past Douglas.

Celtic knew they now needed to score to take their place in tomorrow's Champions League draw, but it was the home side who looked more likely to increase their advantage on the night.

Valgaeren's throw was looking like Celtic's best weapon and it almost brought them success in the 33rd minute, but Balde was unable to keep his header under the bar.

O'Neill looked on again in anguish as Lambert was caught late by Alexandre Quennoz which led to his booking before Zuberbuhler did well to save again from Balde's point-blank header.

Desperate measures were required and O'Neill made a double substitution at the break with Steve Guppy and Didier Agathe coming on in place of Laursen and Lambert, who failed to shake off his knock.

The first-half disaster prompted the Celtic boss to revert to a more recognisable three at the back.

The visitors looked more comfortable with that system and they almost scored within two minutes of the restart. Larsson played the ball back to Petrov after good work from Guppy down the left, but the Bulgarian drilled his right-foot shot inches wide.

Sylla should also have done better in the 51st minute when the ball found its way to him from Petrov's corner, but he hesitated and his chip back across goal was cleared by Basle.

O'Neill was becoming increasingly animated on the touchline and he was almost leaping about in celebration in the 56th minute when Guppy played the ball into the near post for Sutton, but the striker's header was well saved by Zuberbuhler. Celtic nearly got caught on the hour. Douglas managed to block Gimenez's effort and Valgaeren cleared Rossi's cross with the keeper struggling to get back.

The Basle defence was also holding out, but they were fortunate not to concede a penalty in the 65th minute when Quennoz handled in the box, but referee Andres Frisk was not interested.

Celtic continued to push Basle back and Zuberbuhler again saved his side with a great point-blank stop to deny substitute John Hartson from heading home Guppy's cross. Hakan Yakin almost made Celtic pay in the 72nd minute when he found space outside the box and fired just wide.

The visitors were running out of time and luck as Hartson was just unable to get a touch on Lennon's cross.

But Douglas also made some great saves and denied Mario Cantaluppi before Hartson blazed over with time on his hands.

Sutton should have put Celtic in tomorrow's Champions League draw in Monaco with a glorious chance in the dying moments, but his right-foot curler went agonisingly past the post.

The UEFA Cup now awaits, but it isn't much of a consolation for O'Neill and the Parkhead money-men.