Kelechi Iheanacho earns much-changed Manchester City draw against Celtic

A much-changed Manchester City finished their Champions League group stage campaign with a 1-1 draw with Celtic at Eithad Stadium.

With neither side really having much to play for with their fate already sealed, the shackles were off, and that made for great entertainment. Patrick Roberts capitalised on some lacklustre City defending to score a superb opener against his parent club after just four minutes, before Kelechi Iheanacho equalised with a fine finish of his own four minutes later.

Moussa Dembele missed an open goal in the first half as the Scottish champions continued to press, giving credence to pre-match claims from the Hoops’ chief executive that Celtic could be the biggest club in Britain if they were part of the Premier League.

However, the second half was less of a spectacle, as the game fizzled out, with neither side really having anything to play for. City finish the group stage in second, but we knew that before kick off. Two wins from six is form that will hardly be cause for concern for their next opponent. Celtic finish their campaign winless, which will disappoint Brendan Rodgers, as they have competed well in most of their matches.

Will Pep rue the opportunity to find continuity? Before Manchester City travelled to Celtic Park in late September, they’d won 10 out of 10 in all competitions and looked on course to bring Pep Guardiola yet more success. However, things haven’t gone so swimmingly since, with just four wins from 14 to their name. With their next league match not until late on Saturday, did Guardiola really need to rest so many players, when a winless Celtic represented a fantastic opportunity for City to find their rhythm once more?

Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City): There were some top Celtic performers, with Patrick Roberts and Craig Forrest especially lively, but Gundogan was the real quality on show at the Etihad. His passing was sublime at times, 50 of those coming in the opposition half. His defensive work cannot be overlooked, too.

Manchester City: Caballero 7, Maffeo 5, Zabaleta 7, Sagna 7, Adarabioyo 5, Clichy 4, Fernando 6, Gundogan 8, Sane 6, Nolito 7, Iheanacho 7. Subs: Navas 6.

Celtic: Gordon 7, Lustig 7, Simunovic 6, Sviatchenko 6, Izaguirre 6, Brown 7, Rogic 7, Armstrong 6, Roberts 7, Dembele 7, Forrest 7. Subs: Griffiths 7, Mackay-Steven 6.

4' - GOAL! Manchester City 0-1 Celtic. What a start, and it is Patrick Roberts with the stunning solo effort against his parent club that breaks the deadlock! Awful defending again from City. All started from a poor Caballero clearance, Roberts is fed down the left, he dances past Gael Clichy with ease, evades several more challenges before firing into the bottom corner. Stunning effort. Celtic really, really fancy this.

8' - GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 Celtic. In the blink of an eye City are level through Kelechi Iheanacho. Great finish from the man who never misses. Relentless pace to this game. Great build-up play from City, as Gundogan feeds Nolito, who plays a delightful through pass for Iheanacho to run on to, and the prolific youngster gets the ball out of his feet before smashing into the roof of the net.

11' - CHANCE! Should really be 2-1 to City! Nolito with the pass around the corner for Zabaleta, who squares the ball perfectly for Iheanacho, but the Nigerian side-foots wide.

18' - WHAT A MISS! How are Celtic not in front? Superb play from Forrest carries him to the edge of the box, plays in Dembele, whose first effort is blocked by Caballero, the ball rebounds to him, with the goal gaping, but he lashes it into the side-netting.

44' - NO PENALTY! Clichy is lucky not to be penalised for pulling back Roberts. First contact may have been outside the box, but not even a free-kick is given.

66' - NO GOAL! Great play from City. Nolito sprays the ball out to Navas, who drills the ball back in the Spaniard's direction. He fires home, but the offside flag is raised and the goal is ruled out.

83' - SAVE! Superb move from Celtic. Mackay-Steven is in, he has time to pick his spot. but Caballero sticks out a hand to keep the ball out. Fine stop.

Celtic's two quickest ever Champions League goals have both come against Man City this season (2:23, and 3:51 tonight)

Celtic are winless in their last nine Champions League games, which is now their longest run without a victory in the competition.

Manchester City have finished second in the group in three of their last four Champions League appearances.