eplmatches.com

Celtic ended a disappointing Champions League campaign with a comfortable victory over 10-man Villarreal.

Shaun Maloney headed Celtic in front after 14 minutes before Villarreal’s Guille Franco was sent off.

Aiden McGeady extended the home side’s lead shortly before half-time with a left-foot strike.

Villarreal struggled to create chances after the break and had to settle for second place in Group E with Celtic finishing bottom.

The home side, who were looking for their first win of the tournament, started brightly with Sebastian Viera struggling to cope with Scott Brown’s cross before being forced into a save by Maloney’s shot.

At the other end, Franco tested keeper Artur Boruc with a fierce drive.

Andreas Hinkel then made an important tackle on Ariel Ibagaza who had found space on the edge of the Celtic box following a neat passing move.

The visitors looked dangerous on the counter attack and Mati Fernandez played a low cross towards Franco who shot wide under pressure from Gary Caldwell.

Celtic opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Viera failed to gather Mark Wilson’s cross and Maloney nodded into an empty net.

Villarreal tried to hit back straight away and Hinkel and Stephen McManus needed to make crucial blocks in the six-yard box.

1-0 S.Maloney 14′

2-0 A.McGeady 45′