Maeda hits stunner as Celtic battle back to claim point against Club Brugge

Celtic battled back from the concession of a horrific own goal by Cameron Carter-Vickers to earn a 1-1 UEFA Champions League draw with a classy Club Brugge side at Celtic Park.

The visitors had enjoyed the best attacking movements of the first half, but were gifted the lead on 26 minutes when home defender Carter-Vickers attempted a pass back without looking and ended up knocking it into his own net with Kasper Schmeichel way out of his goal.

But Celtic produced a superb equaliser on the hour-mark when Daizen Maeda thumped a sublime finish in off a post from an acute angle that left goalkeeper Simon Mignolet clasping at fresh air.

The Belgian champions thought they had secured three points on 68 minutes when Ferran Jutgla punished some slack home defending to finish from inside the box, but VAR replays showed he was offside.

A draw was about the correct result in the end with Celtic moving onto eight points from five matches in 20th spot, with Brugge a point and two places behind Brendan Rodgers’ men.

Celtic will play better in the UEFA Champions League this season and lose. So this has to be seen as a point gained in their ongoing quest to reach the knock-out phase.

Nicky Hayen’s Brugge showed why they beat Aston Villa in their last outing in the tournament with an excellent away performance, but Celtic stuck to their task and just about earned a point from another frantic evening when they were far from their best. Much of that was down to the opposition’s quality.

“First half not so good, second half much better,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers on TNT Sports. “You obviously want to win every game, but first half we were very passive in our pressing. You could see they are a good side.

“Second half, we adjusted a couple of things and we had a much better press, which allowed us to sustain attacks. It’s a brilliant finish from Daizen, and we were much more courageous in the second half.

“So, so pleased with the second half. We kept going, and showed determination right to the end. It’s a really good point against a good side. We’ll take that into our next game.”

A third goal in the UEFA Champions League and a 10th in total for the season from the Japan winger. Another tireless shift for the home side, and his finish for Celtic was a stunning way to rescue a point in what proved a tough examination by an impressive Brugge team.

Celtic: Schmeichel 7, Johnston 6, Carter-Vickers 6, Trusty 7, Taylor 6, McGregor 7, Hatate 7, Engels 6, Kuhn 7, Maeda 7, Kyogo 6 Subs: Idah 6, Valle 6, Yang 6, Bernardo 7, Forrest 6

Club Brugge: Mignolet 7, Ordonez 7, Skov Olsen 7, Tzolis 7, Jutgla 7, Onyedika 7, Vanaken 7, Jashari 7, Mechele 7, De Cuyper 7, Seys 7 Subs: Vermant 6, Nielsen 6, Talbi 6

7′ MORE BRUGGE PRESSURE EARLY ON Celtic not yet been seen in this contest as the visitors look to break at speed. Andreas Skov Olsen with a decent shot at goal, but deflects wide of the target. Corner is a poor one and Celtic can clear.

26′ GOAL! CELTIC 0-1 BRUGGE (CARTER-VICKERS OG) An awful moment for the big American defender as he tries a pass back without looking and ends up knocking it into his own net with Kasper Schmeichel way out of his goal. That is a disaster. An early Christmas present for the visitors.

48′ CELTIC ALMOST CUT OPEN RIGHT AWAY! Brilliant counter attacking surge from the visitors, but the shot by Maxim De Cuyper is superbly nudged past his own post by Celtic keeper Schmeichel.

60′ GOAL! (MAEDA) CELTIC 1-1 BRUGGE What a stunning goal from Daizen Maeda, his 10th of the season, as he turns inside his man before sending a spinning shot crashing in off the post. Brilliant finish from an acute angle. Celtic level on the hour-mark.

69′ VAR! THE GOAL HAS BEEN RULED OUT! An offside call goes against Ferran Jutgla in the box. Just offside and their 2-1 lead has been wiped out. Right decision in the end.

The 1-1 draw at Celtic Park was the first meeting of the clubs in European competition.