Celtic's hopes of a place in the knockout phase of the Europa League were reduced as Molde consolidated their lead at the top of Group A.
In atrocious conditions, Dedryck Boyata's slack pass paved the way for Ola Kamara to secure an early lead.
That was followed by a second from Vegard Forren on 18 minutes, which put the Norwegian champions in command.
Kris Commons reduced the deficit after the break, but Mohamed Elyounoussi soon restored the two-goal advantage.
It means Celtic trail Molde by five points ahead of their return match at Celtic Park in two weeks' time.
They and Ajax sit on two points, two behind Fenerbahce following the Turks' 1-0 victory over the Dutch in Istanbul.
Defensive frailties
Celtic have been undone by slack defensive play and questionable goalkeeping on more than one occasion this season and both were in evidence again.
Boyata gifted possession to Elyounoussi for the first goal and Craig Gordon looked cumbersome as he tried to keep out Camara's near-post shot.
Molde centre-half Joona Toivio was allowed to cross for his defensive partner Forren to volley unchallenged past Gordon for the second.
And it was too easy for Molde to carve the visitors open for a third when Celtic should have been revitalised having just got back into the game.
Molde could have added more in the second half as Camara - Deila's former protege at Stromsgodset - twice passed up excellent opportunities and Gordon saved well from Etzaz Hussain.
Nir Bitton almost made the scoreline more respectable with a late shot off the bar, but that would have been an unfair reflection of Molde's dominance.
An unhappy homecoming
Ronny Deila had played down the significance of his own return to Norway, stressing instead his constant desire to win football matches, regardless of their whereabouts.
As it was, that was left unsated and it was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who was able to celebrate a winning return to Norwegian football.
The reappointed Molde head coach - a local hero already in these parts - may not have been back in charge long enough to take great credit for any tactical masterstrokes, but his side outfought and out-thought Celtic.
After a tentative start, they bossed the game and have given themselves an excellent chance of progressing in the competition, whereas Celtic have it all to do.
There was tension in the visiting ranks too as Commons was taken off despite being one of the few Celtic players to offer a threat.
The forward directed his anger at the Celtic bench as the supporters sang his name.
It is one of a number of issues that need to be addressed if Celtic are to turn this European campaign around.
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (1) & SUBSTITUTIONS (5)
Molde
- 01 Horvath
- 14 Linnes
- 05 Toivio
- 25 Forren
- 23 Rindaroy (Flo - 52' )
- 16 Hussain
- 06 Hestad
- 07 Singh
- 09 Moström
- 11 Kamara (Hestad - 74' )
- 24 Elyounoussi (Bakenga - 84' )
Substitutes
- 02 Semb Berge
- 15 Flo
- 19 Hestad
- 20 Hoiland
- 27 Bakenga
- 32 Svendsen
- 34 da Silva
Celtic
- 01 Gordon
- 23 Lustig
- 20 Boyata
- 04 Ambrose Booked
- 03 Izaguirre
- 08 Brown
- 06 Bitton
- 15 Commons (Ciftci - 76' )
- 25 Johansen
- 14 Armstrong (Mackay-Steven - 74' )
- 09 Griffiths
Substitutes
- 02 Blackett
- 07 Ciftci
- 16 Mackay-Steven
- 18 Rogic
- 26 Bailly
- 42 McGregor
- 63 Tierney
Ref: Vladislav Bezborodov
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