The Bhoys Crash Out Of Europe After Danish Loss

Extend League Lead To Seven Points Over The 'Gers

Celtic crashed out of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday after a 2-1 loss to AaB Aalborg in Denmark.

The Bhoys will rue their lost chances in a game that they should have won. Celtic took the lead in the 53rd minute from a Barry Robson header, but the home side equalized when Caca's speculative long-range shot was took a deflection off Stephen McManus and sailedpast a diving Boruc.

With less than five minutes left in the game, another defensive error from Celtic sealed the UEFA Cup slot for Aalborg - Andreas Johansson's cross being cut out by Loovens only for the ball to deflect into the goal off Caldwell's knee.

Manager Gordon Strachan was particularly disappointed by his team's defensive failings, saying: "It was there to be won but our inability to keep a clean sheet has been our downfall.

"We had great chances but I did think that one goal would have been enough as I didn't see any real threat to us, that's why it's so disappointing.

"I really can't explain it but it's happened again. It''s unbelievable as it was one of our better performances."

He was happier at the weekend as Celtic extended their lead over Rangers in the Scottish Premier League to seven points, Rangers having lost 2-1 to Hearts away.

Shaun Maloney was the only Bhoy on the scoreboard, scoring from an excellent Nakamura pass in the 29th minute as Celtic overcame a stubborn defensive performance from Inverness CT, who were happy to sit back and defend.

Derry City defender Niall McGinn has been linked with Celtic this week, rumours surfacing that the table-toppers are keeping an eye on the promising 21-year-old.

"Celtic are obviously a big club and it is a great honour to discover that they are looking at me," said McGinn.

"But I don't want reserve football. I need to be playing regularly to keep me in the Northern Ireland squad."

Reports in the press on Tuesday suggest that Shunsuke Nakamura will stay with Celtic until the end of the season rather than leaving the club in January as previously reported.

He was expected to receive an offer soon from Yokohama F Marinos in Japan which is owned by automobile company Nissan, but the current credit crunch is said to have altered their plans and they are now expected to wait until his contract expires in June, and avoid spending millions of pounds in a transfer fee.