Celtic held by Lithuanian minnows Suduva Marijampole in Europa League

Celtic were held to a 1-1 draw by Lithuanian side Suduva Marijampole in the first leg of their Europa League play-off at the ARVI Futbolo Arena.

Olivier Ntcham fired the Hoops into a 3rd-minute lead after fine work from Michael Johnston but, despite dominating possession, Brendan Rodgers' men could not add to their advantage and were pegged back just 10 minutes later.

Terrible defending from a routine Suduva free-kick saw them equalise, as an unmarked Ovidijus Verbickas was able to head into an empty net after Craig Gordon had come for the cross but not got near the ball.

Callum McGregor, James Forrest and Johnston all called Suduva goalkeeper Ivan Kardum into action as the visitors were on top throughout, but they couldn't find a second goal.

Nor could Moussa Dembele, who failed to hit the target with Celtic’s two best chances after the break.

There were very few signs to suggest Suduva can cause an upset at Celtic Park next week, but Rodgers will be frustrated that his side haven’t already put the tie to bed as they had the chances to do so.

Celtic need to tighten up at the back. Not for the first time this season, Celtic’s defending left a lot to be desired. The goal they conceded was really poor - both the marking and Gordon’s decision to come for the cross - and it let Suduva back into the game at a time when Celtic should have been at their throats. The sloppiness continued in the second half too, and if Celtic are serious about going on a run in this competition Rodgers needs to sort it out.

Kieran Tierney (Celtic). He and Johnston formed a dominant partnership on the left and Tierney was particularly impressive, getting forward often and putting in a number of decent crosses while never looking troubled in defence, even after switching to centre-back.

Suduva: Kardum 7, Slavickas 7, Jankauskas 6, Gayduchik 5, Svrljuga 5, Finkler 5, Leimonas 6, Vezevicius 4, Cadenovic 6, Verbickas 6, Cicilia 5. Subs: Offenbacher 5, Kasparavicius 6, Matulevicius n/a.

Celtic: Gordon 5, Gamboa 5, Ajer 6, Simunvic 6, Tierney 7, Brown 6, Ntcham 6, McGregor 6, Forrest 6, Johnston 7, Dembele 5. Subs: Lustig 6, Izaguirre 6, Griffiths 5.

3’ - GOAL! Suduva 0-1 Celtic (Ntcham). Celtic lead already! Johnston turns his marker and whips in a brilliant cross from the left for Ntcham to nod in from close range.

13’ - GOAL! Suduva 1-1 Celtic (Verbickas). Suduva are level. Celtic fail to deal with Slavickas' long free-kick into the box as Gordon comes for the ball and doesn't get there, allowing an unmarked Verbickas to head in.

25’ - SAVE! Forrest finds space again and dinks a cross to Johnston, who has a wonderful chance to get Celtic back in front from just eight yards out, but his header is straight at the goalkeeper.

36’ - SAVE! Dembele finds McGregor with a brilliant, dinked through ball and the midfielder almost puts Celtic back in front as he goes for goal first time but the goalkeeper denies him with some quick reactions.

54’ - CHANCE! Ntcham slips in Dembele, who had made a nice run, but the Frenchman lashes into the side-netting.

56’ - SAVE! Suduva spring a nice counter-attack which culminates in Slavickas finding Cicilia with a smart cutback, which the striker takes first time. Gordon is equal to his side-footed shot though, tipping over the bar.

90+1 - CHANCE! Griffiths' inswingig corner is met by Dembele at the back post, who leapt well, but his downward header bounces over the bar.