Celtic remain rooted to the foot of Group A in the Europa League following a 2-1 defeat at home to Molde which saw Nir Bitton sent off late on.

The hosts had two early goals chalked off for offside, with Leigh Griffiths the offender on both occasions.

Molde grew into the game after a shaky start and Tyler Blackett headed Mohamed Elyounoussi's goalbound strike behind before Craig Gordon snaffled the ball off the toes of Tommy Hoiland.

However, Gordon was helpless to prevent Elyounoussi putting Molde ahead after 21 minutes with an unerring volley.

Celtic weren't disheartened by going behind and equalised just five minutes later through Commons, who headed Bitton's strike into the net.

Nonetheless, Molde went ahead again a few minutes before the break as Daniel Hestad nodded Elyounoussi's header in at the far post to silence the home crowd.

Kieran Tierney almost drew Celtic back on level terms three minutes after the break, but Ethan Horvath was equal to the left-back's thunderous strike.

Ola Kamara then reached a corner ahead of Gordon, but could only head wide of the near post, much to the Celtic goalkeeper's relief.

The game continued to swing back and forth as Horvath again denied the hosts with a low save from Mikael Lustig's header.

Fifteen minutes from time, Griffiths volleyed wide when found in acres of space inside the Molde area.

Shortly afterwards Celtic were reduced to 10 men as Bitton was shown a straight red card for hauling down a goalbound Kamara.

Joona Toivio struck the post with the resulting free kick and then Kamara rattled the crossbar as Molde threatened to add a third, but the Norwegian side had enough to see out the final few minutes.