FC MIDTJYLLAND 3 CELTIC 1

MARTIN O’NEIIL’S brief honeymoon period as the returning Celtic manager came crashing to a thumping conclusion in Midtjylland tonight.

The interim boss stared in disbelief as Celtic collapsed to a shocking defeat after gifting the Danes three goals in a horrendous eight-minute period in the first-half.

They never recovered on a night to forget for so many of the visitors who were virtual onlookers as the Danes dictated for almost the entire contest.

It got even worse near the end, after Reo Hatate had scored a consolation penalty-kick, when youngster Callum Osmand was stretchered off with what looked like a hamstring injury.

The sorry sight of the teenager’s exit brought down the curtain on a bleak evening for O’Neill and his players.

The Hoops were on the ropes for most of the encounter and Kasper Schmeichel had produced two brilliant saves before the roof caved in as his defence fell apart and were punished in the most ruthless fashion by their focused opponents.

Anthony Ralston was exposed twice in two quickfire minutes as he failed to cut out the danger that led to the hosts leaping into a 2-0 lead.

In the 33rd minute,...