Old Firm are off to a flyer
Celtic and Rangers rack up solid away wins in Euro openers
BY CRAIG SWAN NEIL LENNON revealed Odsonne Edouard changed his dancing slippers to help smooth Celtic through their slippy Champions League opener. The French striker struggled to get to grips with the soaking Sarajevo surface last night as the Hoops fell behind in their first qualifying-round crunch. But after Mikey Johnston levelled with a special strike, Edouard swapped his studs to
weave his magic. The club’s record signing bagged the priceless second goal before sub Scott Sinclair sealed the deal and pushed the Hoops towards the next stage of the competition.
Lennon confessed the fancy footwork was sparked by an interval change and Edouard scored within six minutes.
He said: “Odsonne had to change his boots at halftime because the pitch was very heavy.
“He was slipping a little bit but looked a lot more assured in the second half and is a big-game player.
“You don’t have to whip him too much to get a response. His finish showed great composure.
“To score three goals away from home, no matter the level or stage, at this stage of the season is very promising.”
Lennon also had words of high praise for Johnston after his spectacular contribution.
The 20-year-old crashed a stunning equaliser to ease any stress caused by the hosts’ first-half opener and the boss added: “Mikey scored a great goal, it was a great hit.
“Again, he did some special things in the game, so he can be delighted. It was a really important goal at that stage of the game. It settled us and we had control after that.”
Johnston was chuffed with his effort and said: “I worked myself a couple of yards of space and just hit it. I’m happy with it.
“I have scored some good goals so I don’t know (if it’s his best), maybe.
“It was good to respond like that. When you come away from home it’s always going to be hard.
“The boys dug deep and we got a result – and that is exactly what we wanted to take back to Celtic Park.”
Lennon, naturally, is refusing to take anything for granted ahead of the return a week tonight.
But with the only real setback a rolled ankle for debutant Boli Mbombo, the manager said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the result and the performance. It is so early in our preparation but the condition of the players, the quality of the goals in the game was great.
“It was a terrific team performance. Sarajevo were well set up tactically, we knew they would be a danger at set-plays, which proved to be the case. We had to dig in a little bit and once we did we took control of the game.
“I was really pleased about how we reacted to their goal. We were a bit cagey trying to work them out and once we got the ball down and moved it quicker, we got a lot of joy.
“The subs who came on all made a telling contribution in the last half hour of the game. It was a great all-round squad performance.
“We still have a job to do. We have a game at the weekend which will be important in terms of preparation for the second match in terms of those who didn’t play and the lads who are a bit behind.
“Hopefully, we can edge them close to the level of the rest and we can gauge whether they’ll be ready.”
Lennon admitted he was bemused at claims from Ecuador Under-20 ace Sergio Quintero that he was set to join the Hoops. He wants more business done soon but was puzzled by Quintero.
The Hoops boss added: “I don’t know where that’s come from. He’s not cropped up in any conversation so far. I’m not aware from any contact from our side.
“We are looking to move in the transfer market. The sooner we can do it, get the right type, the right quality in, the better.”