BRENDAN Rodgers last night blamed German referee Deniz Aytekin for killing off Celtic's hopes of progressing to the last 16 of the Europa League by sending off Jeremy Toljan against Valencia.

Rodgers' team, trailing 2-0 after the first leg at Parkhead last week, performed well against Marcelino's side in the Mestalla and could have taken the lead if they had converted one of the scoring chances they created.

However, Toljan, the Borussia Dortmund defender who Celtic have on loan until the end of the season, was sent off by German match Deniz Aytekin eight minutes before half-time for a second bookable offence.

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The visitors held on despite being reduced to 10 men and almost took the lead when Kristoffer Ajer headed a Ryan Christie free-kick just wide in the second-half.

However, substitute Kevin Gameiro netted for Valencia in the 70th minute just after coming on for Ruben Sobrino to effectively end Celtic's chances of recording a famous victory and going through. The Spaniards won 1-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate.

Asked if he thought the Toljan sending off had been the key moment in the second leg of the last 32 double header, Rodgers said: “Yes, I thought we were much the superior team up until that point.

"I think our shape and everything worked really well for us. We started the game ever so well, nice and tight defensively, pressing at the right times. We had confidence not just to keep the ball, but we carried a threat in our penetration. It looked like we were going to get that we craved.

“I thought the referee took the game away from us. That was disappointing. I thought the players came together but I didn’t think it was a second yellow card. I thought it was a free-kick to us the player has come on the blindside and made contact with Jeremy. That changed the dynamic of the game.

"I spoke to him just after the game. He said it was a definite sending-off. I thought it was really harsh. You just sensed we were building into the game and it was disappointing. That was a key moment that took the game away from us. It’s unfortunate.”

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Rodgers was unstinting in his praise of his Celtic players and admitted their poor display in the first leg in Glasgow last week had been responsible for their exit.

"The bravery of the players was incredible," he said. "They kept going and they made chances. They tired a little bit towards the end.

"The difference over the two games was that in the key moments in the game we haven’t defended so well. But overall I thought we were excellent, I was very proud of the team.”

“Our supporters will be very proud of the team, having that courage to come and play and force the game against a very good side. I said last week we started the game well, but if you make mistakes at this level you’ll get punished. Unfortunately for us, that’s what has cost us.

This is the second season in succession that Celtic have gone out of the Europa League at the last 32 stage, but Rodgers is adamant the Parkhead club are capable of going further despite having a smaller budget than their continental rivals.

“You are always looking to improve," he said. "It’s maybe difficult for us. But we can’t give up hope. You saw the team play very, very well tonight.

We have to look to qualify for European competition again next season and try to progress."