COMMENT By Will Butcher

Celtic failed to make the breakthrough against Rosenborg on Wednesday night in the Champions League as the Norwegian giants frustrated the Hoops at Celtic Park to a 0-0 draw.

Brendan Rodgers' side enjoyed the majority of the match with possession of the football but came up against a side that were well organised, offering little space in behind.

The likes of Scott Sinclair, Stuart Armstrong and James Forrest all had half-chances to find the back of the net and send the fans home happy, but the Bhoys failed to create any clear-cut chances.

It sees Rodgers' side go into the second leg away in Norway next week with it all to do if they are to secure a place in the group stages of the Champions League.

Football Insider rates the Celtic players from their Champions League clash against Rosenborg, with two 2016-17 sensations fluffing their lines:

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Craig Gordon - 6

Gordon, 34, was given very little to do throughout the match as he kept his third clean sheet in three appearances against Rosenborg.

The former Sunderland stopper's involvement was little past helping his centre-backs keep possession of the football, with only one first-half scare that saw him palm the ball over the bar.

Gordon is likely to be tested a lot more when the Hoops travel to Rosenborg next week to face their opponents on August 2.

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Mikael Lustig - 5

Although Sweden international Lustig got forward well on the right side of the defence, the versatile ace seemed unwilling to take on the full-back.

He looked bereft of ideas and frustratingly played the ball backwards every time he received a pass, which in turn annoyed fans as they looked for their side to make the breakthrough.

Defensively sound at the back, Rodgers should look to help the defender improve when in possession of the ball high up the right flank.

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Kristoffer Ajer - 8

Very comfortable performance in his first ever start for Celtic, as he kept Denmark icon Nicklas Bendtner well under control at the back.

The 19-year-old kept the ball well at the back when in possession, while winning a number of loose balls and winning the majority of his aerial duels.

His performance will give plenty of food for thought to manager Rodgers, who could opt to keep Ajer on Parkhead as back-up for Jozo Simunovic, Erik Sviatchenko and Dedryck Boyata.

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Jozo Simunovic - 7

Croatia international Simunovic was equally as adept at the back, with little to do throughout the match.

He coped with the pressures of the Rosenborg counter attack with ease, with the only blot on his performance that some of his passes went astray at times.

He remains the Hoops first-choice centre-back and will be a starter against Rosenborg next week when the two sides meet for the second leg.

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Kieran Tierney - 8

From left-back, 20-year-old Tierney was Celtic's best player and most attacking outlet.

The Bhoys academy product's willingness to get forward and go past his man was the only example of any real attacking intent in the Hoops' squad.

Tierney's teammates should use the left-back's performance as an example of how to create something out of nothing, with most of Celtic's opponents likely to play with men behind the ball next season.

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Olivier Ntcham - 7

The £4.5million summer signing showed just why Rodgers has decided to splash out on him, showing an intricate array of passing that was the foundation of Celtic's attacks.

However, with Brown sitting alongside him, Ntcham needed to get forward more and supplement the attack from deep which he failed to do.

Plenty of positive in the Frenchman's play but he needs to do more than what Brown already does, and get forward to add an extra dimension in attack.

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Scott Brown - 6

Brown anchored the midfield with ease as Rosenborg offered very little going forward, but he was guilty of passing the ball sideways for the majority of the match.

In a game that was all about Celtic trying to break down their opponents, Brown's tendency to give the ball to Kieran Tierney or Mikael Lustig rather than going forward frustrated fans.

If Celtic are to break down opponents next season, they will need more attacking tempo and that stems from Brown's desire to find his attackers rather than defenders.

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James Forrest - 5

Forrest saw probably the most of the ball out of the Hoops' attackers, but he seemed devoid of confidence and was unwilling to try anything out of the ordinary.

Going on a number of runs, the speed machine teased opponents but they failed to provide any kind of danger to the Rosenborg defence, normally resulting in a backwards pass.

Without a target man to hit, it was difficult for Forrest to find a man with his crossing but he is still capable of a lot more than what he provided.

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Stuart Armstrong - 4

Quiet. The former Dundee United man was a far cry from the man that looked to get involved at every moment last season, struggling to have any kind of impact on the game.

The 25-year-old struggled to find any space in the hole between the Celtic midfield and attack, and that allowed Rosenborg to defend with ease.

A much better performance is required next week, if he indeed is given the chance to impress.

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Tom Rogic - 6

With Tierney providing the only kind of creativity in the final third, Australia international Rogic was the pick of the Celtic attackers in what was an off day for all in the final third.

Rogic's intelligence on the ball did make things happen but even he was unable to break down the Rosenborg back line.

His vision and creativity will be desperately needed in the second leg with chances and possession likely to be at a premium.

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Scott Sinclair - 5

To put it simply, Celtic missed Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele. Sinclair's positioning as a striker was all wrong, as the Hoops missed an authentic hitman.

Sinclair, who had such an outstanding 2016-17 campaign, came deep to try and get involved but that left Rosenborg's defence with no one to mark and coping with ease, while crosses into the box were not attacked by the natural winger due to his lack of aerial power.

Rodgers will be desperate to welcome back Leigh Griffiths in the next leg, as they look to go against the odds and secure an away win to qualify for the group stages.

In other Celtic news, clubs have reportedly registered an interest in signing this fringe player.

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