Celtic 2-1 Sarajevo (agg 5-2): Neil Lennon's side set up meeting with Nomme Kalju

Published on: 17 July 2019

Ryan Christie opened the scoring for Celtic

Celtic will face Estonian side Nomme Kalju in the Champions League second qualifying round after an ultimately straightforward win over FK Sarajevo.

Leading 3-1 from last week's first leg in Bosnia, the Scottish champions had an early scare when Mersudin Ahmetovic had an effort ruled out for offside.

However, Celtic went ahead through Ryan Christie's smart finish and, although Benjamin Tatar equalised, Callum McGregor's fine finish from distance restored the three-goal cushion and secured a 5-2 aggregate victory.

Celtic will host the first leg next Wednesday against Nomme Kalju, who surprised Macedonian champions Shkendija to progress on away goals.

    Reaction & as it happened Name Celtic's Euro scorers last season

Result never in doubt amid more lessons

Celtic's progression was never seriously in doubt, although that early offside effort initially gave home supporters something to ponder.

Sarajevo were always unlikely to overcome the 3-1 first leg deficit and so it proved. This contest seemed a question of whether Celtic could find a route to break down a well organised side and, in the meantime, build more fitness and confidence.

Midway through the first half, though, manager Neil Lennon appeared to show a little frustration at what he was seeing. There was a lack of tempo and threat.

They suddenly clicked and, after a period of quality possession in which they stretched the visitors, the opener arrived. It was Odsonne Edouard's determination to surge into the box, followed by Christie's fine finish, that quashed any hope of a shock.

That appeared to settle Celtic and chances began to flow, with the visitors unable to break out.

However, as in the first leg, there are lessons to be learned at this early stage of the season. In Bosnia, Lennon's men cheaply conceded, then poorly defended, a set-piece to allow Sarajevo the opener. This time, it was real sloppiness from recent recruit Boli Bolingoli that allowed Sarajevo to equalise.

It is something that Celtic can ill afford as they progress through this qualifying process. The opposition will get better and the consequences potentially harsher.

There was no need to panic in this circumstance and McGregor's fine finish ensured a positive home result for supporters to enjoy.

Another positive was the return of Leigh Griffiths as a late substitute. That reintroduction earned a wonderful reception. Once fully fit, the striker may have a significant contribution to make in the months ahead.

The focus now turns to what looks like a favourable tie against the Estonians.

'Two good goals & job done' - analysis

Former Celtic defender John Hughes on Sportsound

It was a very good performance played at a really good tempo. Two good goals, and the job's done. Hopefully there aren't any injuries and now they're into the next round.

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner on Sportsound

I had no doubt they'd get through. They might be disappointed that they gave away a silly goal, but Neil Lennon might use it as an opportunity to talk to Boli Bolingoli about the defensive side of the game. It was quite visible that he didn't get forward as much after the goal. You can't afford to give the ball away like that in Europe, but he's an exciting prospect.

    Line-ups Live Text

Line-ups

Celtic

    29Bain

    16MorganSubstituted forSinclairat 87'minutes

    17ChristieSubstituted forHendersonat 90'minutes

    5Simunovic

    6Bitton

    49Forrest

    22EdouardSubstituted forGriffithsat 80'minutes

    23Bolingoli-Mbombo

    8Brown

    35Ajer

    42McGregor

Substitutes

    1Gordon

    2Jullien

    9Griffiths

    11Sinclair

    15Hayes

    52Henderson

    56Ralston

FK Sarajevo

    13Kovacevic

    9Ahmetovic

    6Lazic

    2Hodzic

    10RahmanovicSubstituted forGuzinaat 83'minutes

    11VelkoskiBooked at 71mins

    45OremusBooked at 39mins

    21MilanovicBooked at 57minsSubstituted forSisicat 60'minutes

    7Hebibovic

    25SerbecicBooked at 73mins

    32TatarBooked at 42minsSubstituted forDokanovicat 72'minutes

Substitutes

    4Sabanovic

    17Sisic

    24Dokanovic

    26Guzina

    27Kurdic

    28Handzic

    35Dizdarevic

Referee:

Alain Durieux

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Celtic 2, FK Sarajevo 1.

Full TimePosted at 90'+4'

Second Half ends, Celtic 2, FK Sarajevo 1.

SubstitutionPosted at 90'

Substitution, Celtic. Ewan Henderson replaces Ryan Christie.

SubstitutionPosted at 87'

Substitution, Celtic. Scott Sinclair replaces Lewis Morgan.

SubstitutionPosted at 83'

Substitution, FK Sarajevo. Gedeon Guzina replaces Amar Rahmanovic.

SubstitutionPosted at 80'

Substitution, Celtic. Leigh Griffiths replaces Odsonne Edouard.

Goal!Posted at 76'

Goal! Celtic 2, FK Sarajevo 1. Callum McGregor (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

BookingPosted at 73'

Besim Serbecic (FK Sarajevo) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

SubstitutionPosted at 72'

Substitution, FK Sarajevo. Andrej Dokanovic replaces Benjamin Tatar.

BookingPosted at 71'

Krste Velkoski (FK Sarajevo) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Goal!Posted at 63'

Goal! Celtic 1, FK Sarajevo 1. Benjamin Tatar (FK Sarajevo) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

SubstitutionPosted at 60'

Substitution, FK Sarajevo. Aladin Sisic replaces Slobodan Milanovic.

BookingPosted at 57'

Slobodan Milanovic (FK Sarajevo) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Second HalfPosted at

Second Half begins Celtic 1, FK Sarajevo 0.

Half TimePosted at 45'+1'

First Half ends, Celtic 1, FK Sarajevo 0.

BookingPosted at 42'

Benjamin Tatar (FK Sarajevo) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

BookingPosted at 39'

Mirko Oremus (FK Sarajevo) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Goal!Posted at 26'

Goal! Celtic 1, FK Sarajevo 0. Ryan Christie (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal.

Kick OffPosted at

First Half begins.

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

goal

Source: bbc.com

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