Manager Neil Lennon was pleased with his Celtic side after they emerged from a testing trip to FK Sarajevo with a 3-1 success in their opening Champions League qualifier.
The Scottish champions must negotiate four rounds of qualifying to grab a berth in the lucrative group stage and were under pressure early on when Mirko Oremus fired the home side ahead in the rain-soaked Bosnian city just before the half hour.
Celtic were level before the break courtesy of a superb long-range strike from Mikey Johnston, while record signing Odsonne Edouard was calmness personified inside the penalty box to slot the Hoops ahead six minutes into the second half.
Sub Scott Sinclair put some gloss on the night with a cheeky back-heel into the net late on, giving Celtic clear daylight ahead of the return game in Glasgow next week.
With the game coming so early in pre-season and Sarajevo representing a competent test of their ability, Lennon was delighted with the outcome. “It’s a great position to be in,” he said.
“Considering where we are, so early and against really decent opposition who are tactically smart and a big threat at set plays, it’s a great performance.”
Kris Ajer was deployed at full-back while both goalscorer Johnston and new signing Boli Bolingoli limped off injured in Bosnia. It was not ideal for Lennon, but his men got the job done and he hopes to add more players “sooner rather than later” this summer.
“We had to fit a few square pegs in round holes because of where we are with the squad. But the attitude, fitness of the players and quality of the goals made it a really good start,” he added.
Leave a comment
Link Dafabet