WHO would have dared dream Celtic could kill off this Champions League play-off against Astana in Glasgow meaning their supporters will be able to watch next Tuesday’s return on the couch rather than behind it?
This was an outstanding win, thanks to Scott Sinclair’s double, James Forrest, Leigh Griffiths and an own goal, courtesy of a mature and utterly professional performance by Brendan Rodgers’s team.
And given that he was without key players, and forced to play Nir Bitton at the back, who didn’t put a foot wrong, and yet still his team won so comfortably will make him think they can have a Champions League campaign to remember.
As for the game, Astana actually began well and had their moments but by the end they were chasing shadows. Even when Celtic weren’t quite themselves they always looked dangerous.
On seven minutes, Rogic ran at the Astana players who were unsure how to deal with him and this allowed the Australian on the stretch to shift the ball to Forrest. His cross was aimed at and picked out Griffiths, his spring took him above the rest but his header was just wide.
The visitors’ first shot came on 21 minutes and while the effort by Patrick Twumasi was a bit wild, his first touch and movement was superb. It was a warning. Another one came within seconds.
Jozo Simunovic lost the ball in an area no defender wants to cough up possession, Astana attacker Serikzhan Muzhikov got on it and sent a low awkward shot towards Craig Gordon which the keeper dealt with.
However, on 32 minutes came a huge moment in Celtic’s season.
Lustig produced a superb pass through several Astana players, Rogic turned and ran at players in exactly the same manner which won his team the Scottish Cup Final, only this time his shot, a chip over goalkeeper Aleksandr Mokin wasn’t going in until Postnlkov got his boot to the ball and scored a needless own goal.
Cue a mix of delirium and relief, which was almost quashed within a minute when from a corner, Postnlkov, a giant of a man, got miles above everyone else only to put his header wide from seven yards.
The dear green place went back to delirium three minutes before the interval.
Rogic was probing and looking for an opening when he was tackled by Muzhikov who only succeeding in playing a ball through his own defence, which Sinclair anticipated, he raced in towards Mokin, kept his cool and placed his shot exactly where he needed to.
Griffiths wasn’t having a great night regarding the assistant’s flag, he was given offside twice after making good runs, but the No 9 worked ever so hard without the ball.
It was then Griffiths turn to provide to put his side 3-0 up on the hour.
Celtic have referee Ovidiu Hategan to thank in part because he allowed play go on when Yuri Logvinenko’s head clashed with Rogic who was brave in the air. The game continued despite both players lying on the ground, Griffiths was on the ball to send a delayed pass to Sinclair and the Englishman’s finish was perfect.
Celtic then killed the tie stone dead with 11 minutes to go.
Olivier Nthcam produced a sensational pass to Griffiths who showed real class to control, wait and then feed James Forrest who once again came up with a huge goal for his team.
Griffiths deserved a goal himself and it came right at the death when this time he took on a shot himself and with the help of a deflection sent Celtic Park into raptures.
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