Celtic have tonight taken a giant leap towards the next round of the UCL qualifying stages with a comfortable victory over F K Sarajevo.
Facing a side quite a bit above the usual standard of sides at this stage of the competition, Celtic were not at their best in the early stages withe the home side on the front foot, playing much of the first 15 minutes or so in the Celtic half. As is always the case at this stage of the season, Celtic started with an untried back 4 of Ajer at right back, Simunovic and Bito as the centre half pairing and Bolingoli at left back and it was typical European hesitancy that led to the first goal of the game. Slack play generated a corner for Sarajevo and then no-one was properly picked up at the corner and the home side scored from the 2nd ball.
That goal was greeted with great glee from the home side with the camaras panning to utterly bewildered and delirious home fans which gave you very impression that taking the lead was beyond their wildest dreams and perhaps this explains why, from this point onwards it was all Celtic as the home team appeared to have shot their load because after that goal there was only one team in it – and that team was the mighty Glasgow Celtic.
Within 5 minutes of going behind, Celtic were level through a fabulous 25 yard strike from Mikey Johnston and in the second half Celtic completed the well deserved victory with a great goal from Edouard and backheel from Sinclair.
Celtic will no doubt stretch their lead next week at Celtic Park and we can look forward to the next round as we march toward Istanbul, 30th May.
