Celtic 0-2 RB Leipzig: Timo Werner’s header and Emil Forsberg’s strike seal the win for the Germans

Long before the final shrill blast of the referee’s whistle pierced the night air, a sense of acceptance had enveloped Celtic Park.

The latter stages of the Champions League remain strictly off-limits for Ange Postecoglou’s for the time being, at least.

For all the Australian’s men couldn’t be faulted for effort over the course of their opening four games, a lack of experience at this most unforgiving level has done for them.

Too many missed chances. Too many errors. Not enough ice in their veins. They’ll have to chalk this one up to experience and try to go again next year.

Ange Postecoglou’s side crashed out the Champions League following a 2-0 loss to RB Leipzig

Yet again, there was much to admire about the way Celtic acquitted themselves at this level but it was not prolonged enough to truly worry the Champions League group stage regulars who they faced here.

Stretching back to a win over Ajax nine years ago, the search for a home win in this competition goes on and you wouldn’t bet on it ending any time soon.

As in Germany last week, Postecoglou’s men were left to ponder how ruthless this level is compared with what they face most weeks.

One point from four games seems scant reward for their efforts but it’s no hard luck story either. This competition just chews you up and spits you out.

They are not yet out of the running to drop into the Europa League but even that now looks like a long-shot.

A win against Shakhtar Donetsk in Glasgow next time out is now non-negotiable. They will also require something from the final game in Madrid. Stranger things have happened. But not many.

Postecoglou had felt that home advantage could play a big part in ensuring his side retained a positive mindset irrespective of what came their way.

They could not have wished for more. The stadium was a repository of sound and light beforehand, the cacophonous noise which swirled around it a life force of its own.

They needed all the help they could muster. Having been deprived of Cameron Carter-Vickers in Leipzig, Celtic had to make do without skipper Callum McGregor as a result of a knee injury sustained there and star winger Jota due to a muscular complaint.

RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner scored the opening goal with a long-range header in the 75th minute

It was another extraordinary night of press and counter-press. The kind of game that was draining to watch let alone participate in.

The risks both sides took would not have been out of place in a high rollers room in Las Vagas. It was captivating stuff.

With Celtic bounding forward from the start, Daizen Maeda flashed Liel Abada’s cross inches wide.

Leipzig’s defenders often looked boxed in during those early skirmishes. They reverted to long diagonals, a tactic executed with pin-point precision.

In the blink of an eye, David Rahm had burst forward and crossed for Dominik Szoboszlai. Somehow the Hungarian succeeded in firing the ball beyond the far post when it felt like the net was sure to bulge.

Emil Forsberg’s strike six minutes from time condemned Celtic to the Europa League at best

Leipzig were slicker and smarter than Celtic as the game settled but only marginally so.

A heavy touch by Sead Haksabanovic led to a weak tackle by Matt O’Riley. To Postecoglou’s relief, as the visitors darted forward, Amadou Haldara’s shot was deflected into the air and eventually into Joe Hart’s arms.

Carter-Vickers had a rare lapse in judgement when he jumped in on Andre Silva 40 yards out to let Leipzig in. Moritz Jenz rode to the rescue by blocking Timo Werner’s drive.

There was malice and menace in the air whenever the Germans advanced in numbers. Celtic had to worked like dervishes to scamper back and nullify them. The importance of the recovery pace Jenz possesses was underscored.

By the midway point of the first half, Postecoglou’s men had found their feet. Greg Taylor sent Haksabanovic away with the midfielder’s early shot fumbled round the post by Janis Blaswich.

O’Riley struck the upright from 20 yards with a smoking low strike with Taylor immediately hitting the bar with a header.

Celtics players and fans were left dejected after their slim hopes of progressing vanished 

Fine work by Haksabanovic then delivered a peach of a cross for Kyogo Furuhashi. The Japanese couldn’t find the target with his glancing header.

The injured Abada made way for James Forrest before the break. Hart ensured parity at that point by brilliantly kicking Christopher Nkunku’s strike over the bar.

The Celtic keeper was alert again as Leipzig re-started with greater zest. This time Willi Orban’s attempt to squeeze the ball under the keeper came unstuck through an unorthodox stop.

While Maeda’s bone-rattling challenges on the giant Mohamed Simakan drew roars of approval, Furuhashi’s wastefulness only drew groans.

You sensed the first goal would determine the winner. Szoboszlai should have found it after an untimely slip by Hatate but he too lost his footing.

Forrest’s deep cross almost dropped into the net at one end before Jenz stooped by block Werner’s strike at the other. It remained goalless but breathless.

Daizen Maeda, left, and Willi Orban battled it out as Celtic Park welcomed Germans RB Leipzig

Maeda spurned a big chance to set up Giorgos Giakoumakis to score a minute after entering the field with a wretched cross.

The winger’s hopes of immediate redemption evaporated when he guided Aaron Mooy’s cross a yard wide.

As the closing stages approached, the game was still on a knife edge. There was anxiety among the home fans when VAR looked at Hart’s advance on Nkunku but the keeper’s touch ensured Celtic were off the hook. But not for long.

Celtic would have to have rolled a double-six to have been wise to every one of Leipzig’s cunning plans. They looked a little weary when Andre Silva popped up in behind with 15 minutes remaining. His cut back left Werner with much to do but the former Chelsea man’s header from six yards was deadly.

To Celtic’s credit, they kept going. O’Riley had a shot saved. Giakoumakis couldn’t bundle another chance in at the far post. It was not to be. Such thin margins have been the story of this campaign.

Any lingering doubt about the outcome was banished six minutes from time when Werner turned provider for substitute Emil Forsberg to score with a powerful first-time prod high into the net.