Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BHOYS LIMP OVER LINE
FC Astana 4 Celtic 3
CELTIC endured a night of Champions League qualification ups and downs in Kazakhstan last night. At 4-1 behind there were nervy moments for boss Brendan Rodgers but they recovered to claim an 8-4 aggregate win.
Rodgers said: “I am very happy to come though the six qualification games, especially against Astana who are a good side.”
THE Rolling Stones have hired out the same jet that whisked Celtic back from Kazakhstan but it’s the Hoops who eventually had the sense of satisfaction.
Brendan Rodgers’ men might have had a heck of an awkward night in Astana but wild horses weren’t going to keep the Parkhead side from their Champions League dream.
This was no gentle trot though.
Scott Sinclair’s first half strike to make it 1-1 seemed to have killed the tie after cancelling out Kris Ajer’s own goal.
A five goal lead should have been a breeze - but it didn’t feel like it. Even the away goal didn’t prevent some major heart palpitations.
Jozo Simunovic has endured enough injury issues in recent years to persuade Rodgers to give him the night off on the astroturf - so it was midfielder Nir Bitton and teenager Ajer to keep the fort.
It’s fair to say the only thing they convinced was the pressing need for reinforcements at the back.
The duo went through a nerve-shredding night – just like everyone else in the Celtic end.
In the opening 20 minute it was Celts who nearly scored. Callum Mcgregor was gifted the ball 40 yards out and he played in Scott Sinclair.
The winger pulled the trigger a fraction too late and Ivan Maevski managed to make the block.
That really would have been that. In the main Celtic were doing exactly what was needed.
They were keeping the ball, passing it around, staying patient and doing nothing daft, little by little getting closer to their target.
The clock was ticking and time was on their side – until the alarm bells went off after 26 minutes and Astana took their first nibble at the deficit.
Ajer’s diving header clearance only went to Dmitri Shomko and then the teenager’s outstretched leg sent the shot in to his own net.
The slight wobble could have been eased moments later when Sinclair again when through but Eric made the save.
It didn’t take him long to find his range though. Bursting down the indide left channel, he send two defenders spinning as he cut inside and curled a beaut in to the top corner. Astana needed seven. it sounded ludicrous – but Celts got a hell of a fright.
They did get to two and three though just four minutes in to the second to cause another mild bout of nerves.
It was a bit of a nightmare for Brown for the second as he gave the ball away then headed in to Serikzhan Mushikov’s path.
And it got worse soon after when Twumasi skipped in between the defenders to make it 3-1. Rodgers was forced to shore things up by going to a back five.
Griffiths fluffed a sitter to stop the rot but it was 4-1 seconds later when Twumasi skipped through and beat Gordon at his near post.
It was time for a deep breath as Gordon’s save stopped it going to five. Ntcham finally shook Astana off with 10 minutes to go when he fired home with the help off a defender’s leg.
Finally the Parkhead men could relax. Astana were burst and Griffiths superbly slotted home a third to put the tin hat on a pretty torrid 90 minute for the Scottish champions.
The Rolling Stones are taking back the jet – but Celtic are embarking on another European tour.