Celtic have progressed through to the knockout stages of the Europa League despite suffering a 3-1 defeat at home to Red Bull Salzburg this evening.

It took less than eight minutes for the group leaders to edge ahead, with Alan side-footing the ball beyond the reach of Craig Gordon for his fifth goal in the competition this season.

The hosts' night got even worse soon after when the same man this time slipped marker Efe Ambrose inside the box to head home a corner, just moments after Leigh Griffiths squandered a brilliant opening at the other end.

If not for the intervention of Gordon on the 20-minute mark, Salzburg could have had a third as Peter Ankersen's long-range drive was heading for the back of the net.

Red Bulls then had a shout for a penalty turned down when Virgil van Dijk brought the lively Alan down inside the box, with the referee waving play on to the bemusement of the forward.

It proved a potentially big moment in the game, too, with Celtic pulling one back just three minutes later when Stefan Johansen converted Emilio Izaguirre's cross to give Ronny Deila's side some hope.

The Austrian outfit, who coming into tonight's set of fixtures were the top scorers in the competition, really should have added a third when Jonathan Soriano failed to finish off a three-on-one situation, dragging his effort wide of goal.

Griffiths, one of four changes to the Hoops' starting lineup, was guilty of throwing away a glorious opportunity himself when firing wide instead of picking out teammate James Forest, who was in a better position.

Once more Griffiths failed to make the most of a great opening when he planted a free header into the hands of Peter Gulasci with 10 minutes remaining.

Naby Keita then made sure of the points when he reacted quickest to head the ball beyond Gordon to extend his side's unbeaten run in Europe this campaign.

Defeat for Dinamo Zagreb in their clash with Astra elsewhere ensures that Celtic will compete in the competition in the New Year despite the defeat.