balance as Celtic are held

position but his low right foot effort skidded wide of Barkas’ right-hand post.

Celtic were made to regret their failure to double their advantage as AEK made their attacking presence felt in the closing stages of the first half. Gordon denied them an equaliser in the 40th minute when he again reacted well to turn over a dipping shot from Lopes.

But the Celtic keeper had no answer when the visitors did make it 1-1 a minute before the break. Lustig was unable to prevent an AEK break down the right through Lopes and the central defensive pairing of Kristoffer Ajer and Jack Hendry were both caught out by the midfielder’s cross which picked out Klonaridis for a powerful and accurate finish high beyond Gordon from around 14 yards.

AEK were emboldened by the timing of their goal and tried to start the second half on the front foot. Livaja’s dangerous run was halted by a foul from Ajer earning the young Norwegian his third booking of the qualifying campaign which means he will be suspended for next week’s second leg. But the initiative appeared to swing away from AEK again when Galanopoulos collected two yellow cards in the space of just seven minutes. After being booked for a calculated foul on Tom Rogic, the Greek midfielder was foolish enough to follow it up with a trip on Forrest right under the nose of the Italian referee who had no hesitation in dismissing him. Rodgers sent on Leigh Griffiths for Rogic, the striker joining Edouard up front as Celtic looked to take advantage of having the extra man. The substitution almost paid off when Forrest’s teasing cross picked out Griffiths but his header flashed just off target.

Scott Sinclair also joined the fray, replacing Lustig, and the winger passed up Celtic’s best chance of taking a lead into the second leg when he failed to connect with Ntcham’s low cross into the six-yard box.