Udinese draw ends Celtic campaign

Celtic's UEFA Europa League campaign ended tonight despite a valiant effort against Udinese in their thrilling Group I game that finished deadlocked at 1-1 in the Stadio Friuli. The visitors, needing victory in the final fixture to go through into the knockout stages, deservedly took the lead in the 29th minute when Gary Hooper took advantage of a mix-up in the Udinese defence to tap in from a yard out. However, veteran striker Antonio Di Natale notched from close range himself with seconds remaining in the first half after Celtic defender Cha Du-ri inadvertently headed into his path. The second half was drama-filled with Neil Lennon's side playing their part in an enthralling game but in the end, the draw was not enough. Celtic travel to St Johnstone on Sunday looking to close the gap on Scottish Premier League leaders Rangers and they will be buoyed by their spirited performance against a side who are only behind Juventus on goal difference at the top of Serie A. Celtic's Scott Brown started for the first time since recovering from an ankle injury picked up against Rangers in September. With Glenn Loovens ruled out with a hamstring injury picked up against Hearts on Saturday, Victor Wanyama was moved back into defence with midfielder Ki Sung-yueng replacing striker Anthony Stokes, who started on the bench. Hooper and Georgios Samaras started in attack supported by James Forrest, while Udinese manager Francesco Guidolin fielded a strong side with top scorer Di Natale leading the line. When the game started Celtic more than held their own in an impressive first-half display, inspired by Samaras and Forrest. In the 12th minute, though, keeper Fraser Forster came out rather unconvincingly from his goal when his defence was breached by Pablo Armero and was happy to see Di Natale's lob over him just go past the post. And Lennon must have held his head in hands in the 23rd minute when Hooper missed a great chance. Samaras used his strength again before playing the former Scunthorpe striker in with a clever pass at the edge of the box but although Hooper's angled drive from 16 yards beat Samir Handanovic, it went past the far post. In the 27th minute, Forster made up for his earlier hesitancy when he pulled off a fine save from Di Natale's shot from the edge of the box which was heading for the far corner. Two minutes later Hooper made up for his earlier miss when he gave Celtic the lead, albeit there was a hint of good fortune about the goal. Samaras was again involved with a cross from the left which Handanovic punched off his own defender, Joel Ekstrand, and the ball fell kindly to the Englishman who tapped into the empty net from a yard out. Di Natale hits back It was all going to plan for the Parkhead club, but seconds from the interval Cha made a mess of a header when he was challenged by Kwadwo Asamoah, allowing Di Natale to volley past Forster from close range when Almen Abdi's cross came into the box. Udinese appeared more focused and determined and in the 56th minute when Hoops defender Daniel Majstorovic made a great blocking tackle on Di Natale's goal-bound shot. Forster made fine saves from Di Natale's drive and substitute Mauricio Isla's back-post header, before he made another decent stop from Asamoah's long-range effort. As Udinese piled on the pressure, and after Stokes replaced Beram Kayal, Asamoah struck the post from three yards out when it looked as if he must score. But in the 75th minute Cha struck the post with a shot which Handanovic allowed to then escape his grasp and almost trundle over the line. Amid almost breathtaking excitement Forster made two great saves from Di Natale before Mo Bangura replaced Samaras and while Celtic threw everything forward in the final minutes the match finished level at one goal apiece.