Celtic and 10-man Anderlecht scoreless

Anderlecht 0 Celtic 0

Martin O’Neill’s men were handed a golden opportunity to lay their hands on a treasured first Champions League away victory tonight after Anderlecht finished a goalless first half with 10 men following the dismissal of captain Glen de Boeck.

Referee Stuchlik had no choice but to book captain de Boeck for a reckless challenge from behind on Larsson.

The Swede got up and almost got on the end of a one-two with Sutton but Zitka rushed off his line.

Aruna was showing why he has been linked with a move to Manchester United when he threatened to run clear, but Balde made a timely tackle.

Celtic were given a big present by the referee in the 26th minute when he harshly showed de Boeck his second yellow card, followed by a red.

Hartson appeared to go down theatrically under the challenge of the captain just outside the box, but Stuchlik had no hesitation in reducing the Belgians to 10 men.

Larsson failed to compound their misery from the free-kick by hitting the wall before Celtic found themselves under pressure.

Varga breathed a sigh of relief when Aruna went down under his challenge in the box.

Ivica Mornar then fired high and wide in the 31st minute.

But the officials then turned against Celtic when Hartson had a goal ruled out for offside after Zitka had failed to hold Larsson’s header from Thompson’s cross

Larsson then had calls for a penalty turned down when Deschacht seemed to send him sprawling in the area before Sutton hit a right-foot shot off target.

But a minute before the break, Celtic had Varga to thank for preventing Aruna from getting away in the box and testing Hedman with a vital challenge.