Celtic made the worst possible start to their Europa League campaign as Maaran Lala’s late strike handed Hapoel Tel-Aviv a 2-1 victory in Isreal.

After a slow start from both sides Celtic took the lead after 25 minutes as Georgios Samaras latched on to Gary Caldwell’s long ball and lashed the ball home after neat control on the chest.

The Glasgow giants dominated the remainder of the half, but fielding a cautious 4-5-1 formation they rarely threatened while Zurab Menteshashvili forced Celtic keeper Artur Boruc in to a smart save as Hapoel almost grabbed a surprise equaliser.

The hosts looked a different side after the break with two penalty appeals waived away by Uefa’s extra official behind the goal before Gil Vermuth stung the hands of Boruc.

But the home side got their reward in the 75th minute as Nemanja Vucicevic hammered a Samuel Yeboah cross in to the roof of the net.

And Celtic’s misery was compounded two minutes from time as Lala poked Vermuth’s cross home from six yards to hand Hapoel victory in the opening group C match.