The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Celtic open their bid to reach the Champions League group stages with a comfortable victory over Icelandic part-timers Stjarnan at Parkhead
EUROPE: Deila’s side take two-goal advantage to second leg in Iceland
Celtic’s Champions League journey began with a comfortable win over the part-time Icelandic outfit Stjarnan at Parkhead last night in the first leg of the second qualifying round.
The home side passed up several chances before making the breakthrough when defender Dedryck Boyata – making his competitive debut – headed in the opener a minute from the break.
The Norwegian midfielder made it 2-0 early in the second half with a confident finish and even though second-half substitute Leigh Griffiths had a penalty saved in the 78th minute by former Motherwell keeper Gunnar Neilsen, the return next week should be a formality for Ronny Deila’s side.
Along with former Manchester City defender Boyata, Deila’s most recent signing from Dundee United, Nadir Ciftci, was handed his first start but winger Gary Mackay-Steven had to withdraw before kick-off with an injury.
Scotland winger James Forrest came in and looked positive in the early stages as Celtic went looking for the opener.
It nearly came in the ninth minute when Ciftci was played in by Johansen but his low drive from 16 yards was blocked by the legs of Nielsen.
Celtic swarmed around the visitors’ penalty area and in the 21st minute Charlie Mulgrew’s cross fell to Johansen but he dragged his shot wide.
Moments later a Stuart Armstrong drive from distance cleared the bar, and the former Dundee United midfielder should have scored in the 29th minute when he was sent clear by Johansen but Nielsen saved with his feet.
Hoops fans groaned again when Ciftci headed an Emilio Izaguirre cross past the far post from eight yards.
The resolute visitors were caught sleeping in the 44th minute, allowing Celtic to take a short corner and when Johansen’s cross came to the back post, Boyata leapt high to head past Nielsen.
With less than two minutes played in the second half Forrest crossed for Ciftci but again the striker headed over.
Jappe Hansen and Hordur Arnason then came close with efforts for the visitors but their hopes were ended in the 56th minute when Johansen broke through on to Armstrong’s pass to knock the ball past Nielsen.
There was more frustration for Ciftci when he again headed over, this time from a Johansen cross, before he was replaced by Anthony Stokes.
Johansen was felled in a packed box but Griffiths’ spot-kick was saved by Nielsen, who made another great closerange save from Johansen.
Celtic: Gordon, Lustig, Boyata (Ambrose 82), Mulgrew, Izaguirre, Forrest (Griffiths 58), Brown, Biton, Armstrong, Johansen, Ciftci (Stokes 74). Subs not used: Bailly, Scepovic, Rogic.
Stjarnan: Nielsen, Aegisson, Gudjonsson, D Laxdal, Arnason, Praest, Johannsson (Runarsson 73), Bjorgvinsson (Palsson 86), Finsen, Halldor Bjornsson (Gunnarson 81), Hansen. Subs not used: Johannesson, J Laxdal, Barddal, Knutsson.
Referee: Daniel Siebert.