CELTIC progressed into the last 32 of the Europa League tonight despite losing 3-1 at home to Salzburg.

As a result of rivals Dinamo Zagreb going down 1-0 away to FC Astra in Romania, it rendered any result at Parkhead irrelevant with one game left to go in Group D.

The Croatians needed to win both their remaining games before tonight and hope Celtic would slip up to give them any chance going into a shoot-out between the teams next month.

Back in Glasgow, Celtic were stung by two goals in the first 13 minutes as the Austrians punished their hosts for some shocking defending.

For the opener on eight minutes, Massimo Bruno was allowed to dance along the edge of the box before shooting. The effort was blocked but the ball rebounded up into the air, and with the Celtic defence standing idle, Alan nipped in to smash the ball home.

Five minutes later Salzburg doubled their lead. Seconds before Craig Gordon pulled off a stunning save to deny Martin Hinteregger from point-blank range, poor defending cost Ronny Deila's men again as Alan was allowed to drift off his man and head home from three yards.

While Celtic were ineffectual at best up until that goal, they somehow clawed their way back into proceedings on the half-hour mark. A pinpoint cross from Emilio Izaguirre was swept into the net expertly from 16 yards by Stefan Johansen.

The Glasgow club emerged improved in the second half while pushing for a leveller. A series of corners and pressure summed up the opening exchanges as Salzburg seemed content to defend their lead and break on the counter.

James Forrest, Kris Commons and Aleksandar Tonev were all thrown on midway through the second half but they couldn't alter the result.

In fact, matters got worse for the Hoops as Naby Keita nodded home a third deep into injury time following more woeful defending.

However, it didn't matter, with both Celtic and Salzburg advancing into the last 32.

Striker Leigh Griffiths said: ""We're disappointed to lose the game. I had great chance to make it two each, the goalie's made a great save but I've got to do better.

"But the boys put in a great performance, we're through now and we're delighted."
 
Griffiths has had to wait for his chance in the line-up and said: "I was just delighted to get a start, I was cramping up near the end but hopefully I've done enough to put myself in contention for Sunday (against Hearts in the Scottish Cup).
 
"I've said I had to work hard and wait for my chance and I've taken it tonight."