Celtic exited the Europa League at the last-32 stage with a 1-0 defeat in Valencia but pride was evident on a night of some frustration in the Mestalla.
The Spanish side impressed in their 2-0 first-leg win in Glasgow last week but they were outplayed by a bullish Hoops side until the 37th minute when right-back Jeremy Toljan was sent off by referee Deniz Aytekin for picking up a second yellow card.
Brendan Rodgers’ team will lick their European wounds again and concentrate on the domestic scene where they are eight points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership and continuing their quest for an unprecedented domestic treble-treble.
Jonny Hayes’ run down the left flank in the fourth minute – his drive was well held by Valencia goalkeeper Neto – offered some early hope.
So too, did a ninth minute Ryan Christie corner which ended with Kristoffer Ajer’s drive blocked by midfielder Daniel Wass, his second effort flying over.
Former Arsenal player Francis Coquelin replaced injured Ezequiel Garay before referee Aytekin booked Hoops skipper Scott Brown and Toljan for fouls on Gonçalo Guedes.
Burke’s pace and power were causing Valencia problems.
Another run down the left ended with a Celtic corner, this time Simunovic’s header going straight to Neto, who watched a Hayes drive in the 35th minute miss his post by a yard.
Ajer moved to right-back in a reshuffle and in the 42nd minute Celtic keeper Scott Bain had his first real save to make from skipper Daniel Parejo’s deflected drive from the edge of the box and again moments later from a Santi Mina shot as the Spanish side finished the half on top.
Then Ajer got his head to Christie’s whipped-in free-kick only to miss the target from close range.
Edouard replaced James Forrest in the 63rd minute but it was Valencia’s replacement Gameiro who made an impact three minutes after he came on for Ruben Sobrino, bundling in Wass’ header from six yards following a deep Parejo cross.
