Celtic's Video Assistant Referee Drama: Victims of Technology or Simply Poor in Loss to Portuguese Side?

Kelechi Iheanacho called it "a terrible call". Fellow player Tounekti stated it was "unbelievable". Former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart chose "absurd".

Manager Brendan Rodgers lamented what proved to be a "huge moment" when Celtic had an Iheanacho goal disallowed early in the second half in their Europa League match.

The Nigerian thought he'd leveled the score for the hosts when he fired a left-footed shot into the opposite side after breaking past a weak defensive challenge.

However, after a lengthy review, the video assistant instructed the match official to rule out the strike because of a potential handball, despite replays appearing to show the ball hitting the player's head.

"The ball never touched my hand, and that changed the game," Iheanacho commented.

Add in a few superb stops by Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek and the frustration is likely justified.

However throughout the game, the Scottish champions committed mistakes of their own.

On 20 minutes, Ricardo Horta's strike from long range swerved and dropped towards the Celtic net, but the veteran keeper flapped at it and was left sprawled on the pitch as the Portuguese opposition celebrated the opener.

Another defensive mess in the second half led to Dane Murray's attempted clearance deflecting from Gabri Martinez and into the goal.

It wasn't much better in attack for the Celtic team, who spent large portions of the second half with their leading scorer from previous campaign - the Japanese international - at defensive wing position.

Celtic drew a blank for the fifth occasion in a dozen matches this season - the same number in which they failed to score in the entirety of last season.

The Celtic manager switched to a back three at half-time in an attempt to generate momentum, with Maeda dropping into a more defensive position and Marcelo Saracchi replacing the starting player.

The home side showed improvement and when Iheanacho got past Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, the Scottish team were the side on top.

That momentum was halted by a lengthy video review, the result of which was incomprehensible to the majority - possibly everyone - at Parkhead.

Former Celtic title-winning goalkeeper Joe Hart - on broadcasting work - was certain the goal would be given at the moment it happened.

"We have video technology reviewing for handball trying to ruin everyone's fun, but actually, it hits his head," Hart remarked.

"Why would they possibly be waiting for? They must be seeing a alternative angle to me. Why are we wasting our time for? This is ridiculous."

In post-match comments, those in the home dressing room were equally perplexed. "There was never a handball, it's unbelievable that the official ruled out that," Tounekti stated.

"We watched the video over again and I discussed with Kele about it. I'm really interested in what the video official saw because that was definitely not a handball."

"I think if that goal was allowed we would win the game without doubt."

The manager, too, was at a loss at how the referees reached the verdict they did.

"There's absolutely no way, however you look at it, [Iheanacho] has made contact [with his hand]," the team's boss stated. "That's a huge moment in the game."

Much of the post-game attention was on the non-goal, but Schmeichel's mistake handed the initiative to the Portuguese side.

The effort from distance had an expected-goals value of just minimal probability, but it got past the 38-year-old goalkeeper's grasp.

"He must be really disappointed with it," the manager said. "That was a good strike and it's clearly swerved a bit, but I haven't spoken to him about it."

In addition to the mistakes at the back, this was yet another game where Celtic have struggled offensively this season.

The Japanese player is being played out of position to accommodate Tounekti, while every midfield combination the manager has tried has been ineffective and energy.

They were unable to break down Kazakh side Kairat Almaty over three-and-a-half hours as they dropped out of the Champions League.

And this is the earliest point into a campaign in which Celtic have had five matches without scoring since the 1991-92 season.

Fans have pointed out the perceived lack of transfer ambition in the summer.

But the team's problems stretch back to February, when they nearly defeated the German giants before being eliminated of the premier European competition.

From that point, they have failed to win in 12 of 27 matches in every tournament.

"It was a poor Celtic performance," former Scotland forward James McFadden said. "Lacking quality, something we're not used to seeing with this team."

"In my view the tactical adjustment at the break helped a little bit, but in the final analysis the visitors earned their victory."

Mistakes at the back and a lack of attacking quality is rarely a winning combination.

"Not enough intent for me," ex-keeper Bonner observed. "Possession play fine, circulating possession, but not enough genuine purpose in that attacking area."

"Not able to defend and big, big mistakes from Schmeichel."