Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GROUP E HOOPS SPRING ETERNAL
Rome falls as Celts come up with stunning success
ROME is known as the Eternal City.
When it comes to the potential of Neil Lennon’s fantastic young side, it also appears to be never ending.
And the memories of an unforgettable evening in Italy’s capital will simply never go away.
Last night in the imposing Stadio Olimpico, Lennon’s magnificent heroes scaled their highest peak.
Amid astonishing full-time scenes of celebration between players, staff and 9,000 travelling fans, the enormity of the success hit home.
Qualification for the last 32 with two games to spare. A first win in Italy in 13 attempts, unbeaten away on the continent in six games and the scalp of the side placed fourth in Serie A.
All done with magical finishes which matched the standard of Celtic’s blistering fightback.
When it was done and dusted it was almost hard to recall how tough it was in the beginning.
Celtic were pinned back early before conceding.
When Manuel Lazzari curled in a cross from deep, the ball skipped off the head of Hoops defender Christopher Jullien and Ciro Immobile, totally unmarked, took no time in thrashing the ball past keeper Fraser Forster.
Celtic had to come out their shell and they did, although it took an awful mistake by Francesco Acerbi to allow the visitors to go in at half-time level.
The Lazio defender allowed Mohamed Elyounoussi’s pass to slip under his foot and James Forrest (inset) took a touch before rifling in from an angle.
Lazio sent on Luis Alberto and club captain Senad Lulic for Jony and Lucas Leiva in the second half but there was little improvement.
There was a Lazio penalty claim in the 66th minute when Immobile’s drive appeared to be blocked by the arm of Jullien but referee Tobias Stieler took no notice.
Play stretched further in the final stages.
A corner from Alberto rebounded off the post before Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard failed to hit the target with a drive following a counter attack.
Forster made decent saves from substitute Valon Berisha, on for Denis Vavro, and Alberto before Olivier Ntcham took a pass from Edouard and chipped keeper Thomas Strakosha for the most dramatic of endings.