Celtic hopes of qualifying in danger as AEK hit back
CELTIC’S bid for Champions League football is in grave danger following a draw with AEK Athens in the first leg of their third qualifier at Parkhead. Brendan Rodgers’ side came out of the traps with pace and purpose and midfielder Callum McGregor drove in the opening goal in the 17th minute, but that good work was undone two minutes before the break when Victor Klonaridis fired in a breakaway equaliser. The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute when Konstantinos Galanopoulos picked up a second yellow card from Italian referee Luca Banti for tripping James Forrest as he raced towards the AEK penalty area. Celtic dominated possession but could not get the winner against a wellorganised Greek side and have a big task ahead of them in the return game in Athens next Tuesday if they are to reach the play-off against either Malmo of Sweden or Hungarian side MOL Vidi. Amid a frenetic start to another big European night in the east end of Glasgow, left-back Kieran Tierney, a constant source of danger down the flank, stung the hands of AEK goalkeeper Vassilis Barkas with an angled drive. Moments later, McGregor’s drive from a similar distance was parried over by Barkas for a corner, which was defended with some desperation. It was the two energetic and enterprising Hoops players who combined for the opening goal, Tierney again working himself into a good position inside the box and his pass was pounced on by McGregor, who swivelled and fired the ball low into the corner of the net from 10 yards. AEK, under new boss Marinos Ouzounidis, came close when Hoops keeper Craig Gordon tipped a powerful 25-yard drive from Helder Lopes over the crossbar. However, Lopes had more luck in the 43rd minute when he raced down the wing to collect a long pass from Andre Simoes and cut the ball back for the unmarked Klonaridis who lashed it past Gordon. CELTIC: Gordon, Lustig (Sinclair 77), Jack Hendry, Ajer, Tierney, Brown, Ntcham, Forrest, Rogic (Griffiths 63), McGregor, Edouard. Scorer: McGregor 17. AEK ATHENS: Barkas; Bakakis, Oikonomou, Lampropoulos , Hult; Galanopoulos, Bakasetas (Saldanha 66), Simoes, Lopes; Klonaridis (Galo 80), Livaja (Ponce 77). Scorer: Klonaridis 44. Sent off: Galanopoulos 57. Referee: Luca Banti (Italy).