GARY HOOPER could not prevent Celtic crashing out of the Champions League, despite scoring his first competitive goal for the club in the return leg of their qualifying tie against Braga.

The Hoops, trailing 3-0 from the first leg in Portugal, required a huge comeback to remain in the competition, but the tie was as good as over when Braga took the lead midway through the first half.

Loughton-born forward Hooper, who completed his move from Scunthorpe last week, raised hopes briefly when he struck from close range just after the break.

Celtic scored again to win the match on the night through Efrain Juarez, but the team were left to contemplate a second successive season without Champions League football.

The Europa League remains an option for Celtic, as their defeat means they are put into the draw for the play-off round.