BLOW THE WHISTLE ON THIS SIX JOKE; Extra refs are waste of time and money.

Byline: CRAIG SWAN 

TONY MOWBRAY feared they might belittle the tournament and it was wrong to use them for a first-time experiment in such an important game.

But they didn't. In fact, they didn't do anything and one simple question should be faxed to UEFA headquarters in Switzerland this morning.

Just what was the point of Belgian duo JohanVerbist and PeterVervecken being in Tel Aviv? The two additional assistant refs were charged with standing behind a goal each to provide four extra eyes for man in the middle Paul Allaerts.

Ironic that, really, given every other set of eyes in the Bloomfield Stadium was fixed on them wondering just what on earth they were doing to justify their existence.

Frankly it was a farce as, in 80 degree heat last night, they were as useful as a body warmer.

UEFA expended a great deal of time and money into rebranding the UEFA Cup and making it into the all-new super-duper Europa League. Fancy logos, fresh outlook, vibrant new support act to the Champions League.

Then, in one bizarre further step, they devalued the entire competition beyond belief by using this pea-brained six officials idea.

Whatever possessed them to take this concept straight from a youth tournament to such a stage gives more credibility to those who feel they make change for change's sake. Or try to justify fat salaries.

There were enough arguments as it was about the fourth official being a pointless nuisance and needless extra. But, no, UEFA just can't help themselves.

To be fair, the poor Belgian double act looked lost.

As Celtic won an early free-kick deep in Hapoel territory Verbist wandered on to the playing area at the other end to join Artur Boruc in the box. The Pole just looked at him bemused. Fortunately he stepped aside to let Boruc superbly deny Nemanja Vucicevic moments later.

It came seconds after opposite number Vincent Enyeama had brilliantly touched a Georgios Samaras header on to the bar in a furious beginning.

It was humid, it was sticky and it was sweaty. Unless, of course, you were Verbist or Vervecken. It was a breeze for them.

Furnace

Ultimately, though, it was too hot for Celtic to handle.

If Celtic thought they were coming out of the frying pan when they exited the Champions League they were burned by fire from Hapoel in an Israeli furnace.

The home team were limited but still had enough to beat the Scots.

Naturally, the few Celtic fans who made the trek from Scotland took advantage of the golden beaches and golden ales.

Sunburned and merry, the initial batch in the Bloomfield gave an indication of their well-being by tanking out a chorus in praise of Boruc.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the Polish keeper who had appeared. It was fitness coach Dan Harris laying out the marker cones. Potent brew, indeed.

Such confusion, unfortunately, spread to the pitch at times as Celtic failed to put away a side they should really have beaten - and paid a severe penalty.

Temperatures were supposed to have cooled by kick-off and, although the sun had gone, it was breathless and the home punters did their best to make it even hotter.

Hapoel's players had pleaded with their supporters to crank up the atmosphere and they answered the call.

There was a white ticker-tape welcome as the teams made their way on to the park which drifted down on to the playing surface like little snowflakes. If ever something was out of place ...

Not, however, as out of place as those six officials leading the players out.They arrived carrying weapons. One had a whistle, two had flags and Verbist and Vervecken had walkie-talkies. Like stewards who had forgotten their luminous yellow jackets.

Looking at the Celtic team as they marched out behind a sea of importance, Mowbray had sprung some surprises. Stephen McManus returned to the side for the first time in four months to take the armband and partner Glenn Loovens at the back.

Dumped

Gary Caldwell, tortured by his lack of a contract offer, gave the money men an example of his versatility by moving forward into a midfield anchor role alongside Landry N'Guemo.

Scott McDonald, surprisingly, was dumped to the subs' bench as Greek Samaras got the nod in the sole-striker role. With a World Cup looming next summer it's not ideal for the Aussie to start Europa League games warming up next to an additional assistant.

Hapoel's coaching staff, no doubt, were hugely disappointed having pinpointed Celtic's desperation to attack as a potential weakness.

Caldwell and N'Guemo were charged with plugging gaps as Andreas Hinkel and Danny Fox charged on to the offensive.

As it happened, Caldwell pinged a peach of a pass into Samaras, the Greek killed it on his chest with one touch and buried it with his left peg on his second.

Manager seemingly vindicated.

Over a quarter gone, the Hoops 1-0 up and still Verbist and Vervecken had not contributed one single thing.

The UEFA delegate in the stand - yes, they don't just occupy the pitch - must have been seriously considering some substitutions to freshen it up.

Samaras is one frustrating character. Shortly after his sublime take of the opening goal he attempted a simple five-yard pass to Shaun Maloney and planted it straight into the away dugout.

Still, as half-time came, he had his team in the lead and Verbist and Vervecken headed off to order a cooling drink on their walkie-talkies - clearly knackered by their lack of involvement.

Actually, that is unfair. As Loovens escorted a ball behind just before the break Verbist, clearly basking in the limelight, pointed for a goal kick to save Allaerts a job.

When Vervecken actually had a chance to make a call as McManus looked to play a handball just after the restart, he stood motionless.

No help whatsoever. Hapoel boss Eli Guttman waved his arms and glared at him.

Entertain

Allaerts then moved to book home star Bibras Natcho for diving. Right under the eyes of Vervecken, yet still he didn't move a muscle and stood like a startled child.

Maybe that's why Guttman brought Lala on - to entertain the bored boy.

As confusion reigned over a throw-in after the ball was put of play, players skidded full-pelt into dugouts to injure themselves, Hapoel screamed for penalties and scored two late goals to win it, while the Belgian duo combed their hands through their hair.

Experiment? Excrement more like.

CAPTION(S):

STANDING STATUES: Verbist and Vervecken KICK AND TEL: Artur Boruc saves Samuel Yeboah's cross, above, but Nemanja Vucicevic reacts first to fire home Hapoel Tel-Aviv's equaliser