2016-08-03: Celtic 2-1 Astana, European Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2016 – 2017 | 2016-17 Pictures

Trivia

• European Cup;Third Qualifying Round, 2nd Leg; Champions League 2016-17
• First leg 1-1, Aggregate:2-1, Celtic go through, one more round to go for the group stages, but guaranteed European group stage football now (be it Europa League or Champions League)
• Kolo Toure Debut match, subbed on. Roberts taken off early injured in match. Lots of injuries in Celtic squad! and season hasn't even started proper.
• Dembele wins us a penalty soon after his substitution. Penalty conceded by the appropriately named "Shi-tov" who should actually have been sent off a few minutes earlier.
• Dembele struggling for first goal is given the penalty to take at the death! Lots of pressure, he converts it and shows how much it means to him.
• Ambrose fully dropped from Squad after clanger v Barca last weekend.
  
• Astana had tried to get Griffiths suspended for second leg claiming he ‘punched’ an Astana player in the first game, UEFA laughed it off and threw out the claim! Total nonsense.
• Olympics starting very soon, but due to bad press on Rio de Janeiro (i.e. Zika virus etc), you’d hardly know it was happening.
• Transfers: Rumours: Efe to be moved on? Ambrose currently linked with Olympiakos (Greece) and also a move to Israel amongst others.
• Brendan Rodgers could be set to swoop for his fellow countryman Paddy McNair after it was revealed Celtic are keen to take the Manchester United centre back on loan.
• Celtic still after Scott Sinclair, supposedly; £3m?
• All laughed as many fell for ex-Man U player Robin Van Persie (100k/week) heading to Sevco. All Sevco fans fell for it.
• Scott Allan sent out on loan.

Review

(The Gaffer of KDS)
That was a helluva slog wasn't it, I wasn't expecting too much, I was weary of those who assumed we'd coast through after last week, didn't fancy that at all, I always felt it would be tight and nervy but not as tight as it became we badly need at least two players of a much higher standard than we've got for the Play-Off round, I don't care who we draw, we must give ourselves the best chance possible.

With Sviatchenko, Simunovic and Bitton missing along with Roberts going off early I'm loathe to have a go at the team, despite the fact we have a big squad we haven't got a team good enough to deal without that level of quality and not feel short, I thought O'Connell over the two ties was superb, a genuine rock at the back, I felt sorry for McGregor tonight, I like him, he never hides and is always brave enough to take the ball even when under pressure I just felt when Roberts went off he lacked any genuine options when trying to make a positive pass.

I worry about Craig Gordon, his decision making is hopeless at times and he's becoming a liability particularly in Europe, he was a great replacement for Forster in 2014/15 but I feel that was his swansong.

This competition is getting tougher and tougher, 4 years ago that type of fixture would get you into the groups outright.

(Tictactical G of KDS)
Pretty flat-paced game where we simply tried (and mostly succeeded) to control possession, but got caught out with a moment of idiocy

Gordon – Missed the goal while away for a pish, bit of a howler apparently, kicking is rank. Has been regressing since first season, needs replaced if not this window, definitely in next two
Janko – Good showing imo, done his defensive work and tried to push on but a severe lack of support after Roberts went off. Great pace
O'Connell – Played very well, won a good amount of headers, dealt well with 1-on-1's, often shaped to hoof then took ball under control, passed well too. Known lack of pace wasn't exposed due to good positioning & communication.
Lustig – Pretty calm, if uneventful game, some nice accurate long balls.
Tierney – Great tackling/harrassing, calm under pressure, good in final 3rd, won a penalty
Brown – Better than usual, got stuck in without leaving foot in (important with that ref), some decent passing and ball control.
McGregor – Worked hard enough, but only seems to play in spurts
Armstrong – Garbage. Poor passing, tackling, awareness and set pieces.
Roberts – Pretty good until injury
Forrest – Mixed bag, decent pace, trickery and play in opposition half. Effectiveness diminished upon changes in team after Roberts went off
Griffiths – Little general link-up play but some good exchanges around box, always looking to get onto left foot, missed best chance of game

Johansen – Erratic, little cohesion with teammates despite some decent forward passes
Toure – Looked quick enough, assured and probed for passes
Dembele – Didn't get much of the ball, challenged well for scraps, great run with ball into box for Penalty, calmly slotted a nerve-shredding penalty deep into injury time

(Arsene P of KDS)
Was pretty much like last season against teams that defend deep with the usual suspects showing why they're not quite up to it. We really struggle to link up midfield and attack and until we get better personnel we lack in key areas we'll struggle against packed defences.

The result was all that mattered though and overall we shaded it.
Astana have decent players, and opened up a bit in the second have caused us problems as we "went for it". Their offside goal should have been a warning, and after they did score we had a real shaky spell.

Hopefully we can improve to get past the play-off round and if we do that we might sign "better, first team starter" players who won't be attracted unless there's the CL to play in.

No point in slagging individual mistakes, but I reckon for their goal it was one of those unfortunate things. KT was left for dead and if Gordon hadn't come, chances are there would have been a goal (attempt), and yes, his header could have gone further but he cleared the danger. Brown missed blocking or stopping the scorer, who finished brilliantly. If the decent chances had been converted before that, we would have been in easy street, but we didn't and it caused the crowd to get tense, with a lot of rancour amongst the non-season book folks beside me.

Dembélé's Celtic career could have been over before it had started had he missed, but he didn't, so let's hope he can settle down and become a first pick. Got to give him credit for taking the responsibility and prolonging our run in the CL.

At least we've got another 8 Euro games before Christmas.

It was good to have a "big" game atmosphere again.

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• Winner –

Stats

Celtic v Astana
Attempts on target

Attempts off target

Articles

Celtic 2 – 1 Astana: Moussa Dembele hits late penalty winner
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-2-1-astana-moussa-dembele-hits-late-penalty-winner-1-4193542

Moussa Dembele timed his first goal for Celtic to perfection as he stepped off the bench to win a tense and dramatic Champions League third qualifying round tie for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Leading 1-0 through a Leigh Griffiths penalty at the end of the first half, the Scottish champions were rocked by a stunning equaliser from Astana substitute Agim Ibraimi which left the contest heading for extra-time.
But just as stoppage time began, Celtic earned a second spot-kick when Dembele was sent sprawling. The young French striker, signed from Fulham this summer, took responsibility and showed outstanding grace under pressure to convert from 12 yards.
The Kazakhstan champions, aggrieved by the two penalty awards, finished the night with nine men as Igor ****** and Dmitri Shomko were sent off in the closing moments.
But it was joy unconfined for Rodgers and his players who are guaranteed group stage football in Europe this season. They will hope to make that in the Champions League where they now go into tomorrow’s play-off round draw.
Nerves and anxiety are occupational hazards for the Celtic players at this stage of the competition. Before Griffiths showed composure and confidence to net the opener from the spot in the dying embers of the first half, there was a sense of trepidation in the stadium.
Although Astana had to cancel out Celtic’s away goal at some stage to have any prospect of winning the tie, they were content to play a waiting game in a bid to frustrate the home players and supporters.
Celtic controlled possession from the start but found it difficult to move the ball quickly enough into advanced positions as they faced the blanket defence of the visitors.
Rodgers opted for a 4-1-4-1
formation which provided scope for wide men Patrick Roberts and James Forrest to push forward in support of central striker Griffiths and make it an adventurous 4-3-3.
But there was little in the way of ammunition for Griffiths whose selection ahead of Dembele, who dropped to the bench, underlined the favourable early impression he has made on his new manager.
There was a first sniff of goal for last season’s 40-goal hitman in the seventh minute but he was unable to find a clean connection. Griffiths looked more threatening when he sprinted on to a long ball into the box seven minutes later, only to be crowded out by defender Yuri Logvinenko.
Astana were happy to break up play by any means necessary in order to prevent Celtic finding any rhythm or momentum and they collected their first yellow card of the evening when ****** was cautioned for persistent fouling as early as the 21st minute.
Scott Brown almost put 
Celtic ahead in spectacular fashion a minute later, the captain getting on the end of a pre-planned corner from Stuart Armstrong and firing a scissors kick a foot over the bar.
Griffiths came close with a flashing left-foot shot wide of Nenad Eric’s left-hand post after sharp build-up work from Armstrong and Callum McGregor down the left.
Astana were slipshod in possession when they had the chance to counter attack but Craig Gordon was called into action for the first time when he cut out a dangerous low cross from Patrick Twumasi.
There was a setback for Celtic
just after the half-hour when Roberts limped off with an injury which had restricted his impact on the game. The on-loan Manchester City winger was replaced by Stefan Johansen.
As Celtic tried to increase the tempo late in the first half, they forced Eric into his first significant save when he did well to clutch Armstrong’s low shot.
Logvinenko then made a brilliant block to deny Griffiths on the edge of the six-yard box before Celtic’s persistence was rewarded with Astana’s needless concession of a penalty.
Aizal Beysebekov, trying to usher Kieran Tierney towards the corner flag, clumsily chopped down the Celtic left-back right on the edge of the box. Shomko and Junior Kabananga were both booked for protesting but Griffiths, who last season vowed to stay off penalty duties after several misses, kept a cool head to send Eric the wrong way.
Celtic looked to build on that at the start of the second half and Griffiths should have done better than skew a shot wide from 10 yards after being played in by Johansen. The striker was then denied by a brilliant recovery tackle by ****** just as he was ready to pull the trigger on a superb through ball from Brown.
Astana had always needed an away goal and they gradually gained a greater share of possession. The warning signs were there for Celtic when Azat Nurgaliyev looped a header beyond Gordon before his celebrations were halted by an offside flag.
Rodgers sent Kolo Toure on for his debut just after the hour but, before the veteran defender could settle, Astana levelled the tie with Ibraimi’s 62nd-minute goal. It was a brilliant finish by the Astana substitute but a calamity for the defence. Tierney tried to usher a through ball back to Gordon but the keeper raced out to headit away and Ibraimi guided it back over the stranded keeper and in from 35 yards.
Kabananga came close to what would surely have been a decisive second away goal when he shot just wide in the 73rd minute, before the introduction of Dembele for Forrest. The Frenchman was fouled by ****** as he surged into the area in stoppage time, earning the Astana defender a second yellow card. Dembele then sent Eric the wrong way and Celtic Park into raptures before Shomko also earned a second caution for dissent.

Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-2-1-astana-moussa-dembele-hits-late-penalty-winner-1-4193542
Commentary

The referee ends the second half.
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Despotović (in) – Muzhikov (out) (Astana).
90 +3 Despotović (in) – Muzhikov (out) (Astana).
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Shomko (Astana) receives a second yellow card and is sent off.
90 +2 Shomko (Astana) receives a second yellow card and is sent off.
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Dembele (Celtic) scores from the penalty spot.
90 +2 Dembele (Celtic) scores from the penalty spot.
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Ibraimi (Astana) is shown a yellow card.
90 +1 Ibraimi (Astana) is shown a yellow card.
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Cañas (Astana) is booked.
90 +1 Cañas (Astana) is booked.
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****** (Astana) concedes a penalty for a foul on Dembele (Celtic).
90 +1 ****** (Astana) concedes a penalty for a foul on Dembele (Celtic).
****** (Astana) receives a second yellow card and is sent off.
90 +1 ****** (Astana) receives a second yellow card and is sent off.
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Johansen (Celtic) delivers the corner.
90 Johansen (Celtic) delivers the corner.
Erić (Astana) is booked.
89 Erić (Astana) is booked.
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Corner awarded to Celtic.
89 Corner awarded to Celtic.
Erić (Astana) makes a save.
89 Erić (Astana) makes a save.
Griffiths (Celtic) has an effort on goal.
89 Griffiths (Celtic) has an effort on goal.
Johansen (Celtic) takes the free-kick.
89 Johansen (Celtic) takes the free-kick.
Ibraimi (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Tierney (Celtic).
89 Ibraimi (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Tierney (Celtic).
Johansen (Celtic) takes the free-kick.
86 Johansen (Celtic) takes the free-kick.
****** (Astana) is penalised for a foul on McGregor (Celtic).
85 ****** (Astana) is penalised for a foul on McGregor (Celtic).
O'Connell (Celtic) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Kabananga (Astana).
84 O'Connell (Celtic) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Kabananga (Astana).
Griffiths (Celtic) has a shot blocked.
81 Griffiths (Celtic) has a shot blocked.
Erić (Astana) makes a save.
79 Erić (Astana) makes a save.
McGregor (Celtic) has an effort on goal.
79 McGregor (Celtic) has an effort on goal.
Twumasi (Astana) takes the free-kick.
77 Twumasi (Astana) takes the free-kick.
O'Connell (Celtic) is shown a yellow card.
76 O'Connell (Celtic) is shown a yellow card.
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O'Connell (Celtic) is penalised for a foul on Kabananga (Astana).
76 O'Connell (Celtic) is penalised for a foul on Kabananga (Astana).
Dembele (in) – Forrest (out) (Celtic).
75 Dembele (in) – Forrest (out) (Celtic).
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Kabananga (Astana) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
74 Kabananga (Astana) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
Kabananga (Astana) misses the target.
73 Kabananga (Astana) misses the target.
Brown (Celtic) misses the target.
72 Brown (Celtic) misses the target.
Forrest (Celtic) misses the target.
71 Forrest (Celtic) misses the target.
Johansen (Celtic) takes the free-kick.
71 Johansen (Celtic) takes the free-kick.
Logvinenko (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Johansen (Celtic).
70 Logvinenko (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Johansen (Celtic).
Ibraimi (Astana) misses the target.
69 Ibraimi (Astana) misses the target.
McGregor (Celtic) commits a foul.
69 McGregor (Celtic) commits a foul.
Muzhikov (Astana) is cautioned by the referee.
67 Muzhikov (Astana) is cautioned by the referee.
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Twumasi (Astana) misses the target.
67 Twumasi (Astana) misses the target.
****** (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Forrest (Celtic).
65 ****** (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Forrest (Celtic).
Erić (Astana) makes a save.
64 Erić (Astana) makes a save.
Tierney (Celtic) has an effort on goal.
64 Tierney (Celtic) has an effort on goal.
Ibraimi (Astana) scores!
62 Ibraimi (Astana) scores!
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Touré (in) – Armstrong (out) (Celtic).
61 Touré (in) – Armstrong (out) (Celtic).
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McGregor (Celtic) delivers the corner.
60 McGregor (Celtic) delivers the corner.
Corner awarded to Celtic.
60 Corner awarded to Celtic.
Muzhikov (Astana) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Griffiths (Celtic).
59 Muzhikov (Astana) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Griffiths (Celtic).
Gordon (Celtic) makes a save.
59 Gordon (Celtic) makes a save.
Twumasi (Astana) has an attempt on goal.
59 Twumasi (Astana) has an attempt on goal.
Johansen (Celtic) is booked.
58 Johansen (Celtic) is booked.
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Johansen (Celtic) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Aničić (Astana).
58 Johansen (Celtic) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Aničić (Astana).
Ibraimi (in) – Nurgaliyev (out) (Astana).
57 Ibraimi (in) – Nurgaliyev (out) (Astana).
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Nurgaliyev (Astana) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
56 Nurgaliyev (Astana) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
O'Connell (Celtic) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Kabananga (Astana).
55 O'Connell (Celtic) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Kabananga (Astana).
Lustig (Celtic) is penalised for a foul on Erić (Astana).
54 Lustig (Celtic) is penalised for a foul on Erić (Astana).
McGregor (Celtic) takes the corner.
54 McGregor (Celtic) takes the corner.
Corner awarded to Celtic.
52 Corner awarded to Celtic.
Shomko (Astana) has a shot blocked.
52 Shomko (Astana) has a shot blocked.
Tierney (Celtic) has a shot blocked.
50 Tierney (Celtic) has a shot blocked.
Johansen (Celtic) takes the corner.
48 Johansen (Celtic) takes the corner.
Corner awarded to Celtic.
48 Corner awarded to Celtic.
Forrest (Celtic) has a shot blocked.
48 Forrest (Celtic) has a shot blocked.
Griffiths (Celtic) misses the target.
47 Griffiths (Celtic) misses the target.
The second half begins.
The second half begins.
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The referee blows for half-time.
The referee blows for half-time.
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Griffiths (Celtic) scores from the penalty spot.
45 +2 Griffiths (Celtic) scores from the penalty spot.
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Kabananga (Astana) is booked.
45 +2 Kabananga (Astana) is booked.
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Shomko (Astana) is shown a yellow card.
45 +2 Shomko (Astana) is shown a yellow card.
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Beysebekov (Astana) concedes a penalty for a foul on Tierney (Celtic).
45 +2 Beysebekov (Astana) concedes a penalty for a foul on Tierney (Celtic).
Penalty awarded to Celtic!
45 +1 Penalty awarded to Celtic!
Brown (Celtic) is penalised for a foul on Twumasi (Astana).
44 Brown (Celtic) is penalised for a foul on Twumasi (Astana).
Forrest (Celtic) has a shot blocked.
44 Forrest (Celtic) has a shot blocked.
Griffiths (Celtic) has a shot blocked.
43 Griffiths (Celtic) has a shot blocked.
Erić (Astana) makes a save.
42 Erić (Astana) makes a save.
Armstrong (Celtic) has an attempt on goal.
42 Armstrong (Celtic) has an attempt on goal.
Beysebekov (Astana) concedes a free-kick for a foul on McGregor (Celtic).
40 Beysebekov (Astana) concedes a free-kick for a foul on McGregor (Celtic).
Nurgaliyev (Astana) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
33 Nurgaliyev (Astana) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
Johansen (Celtic) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Kabananga (Astana).
32 Johansen (Celtic) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Kabananga (Astana).
Johansen (in) – Roberts (out) (Celtic).
31 Johansen (in) – Roberts (out) (Celtic).
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Twumasi (Astana) takes the corner.
31 Twumasi (Astana) takes the corner.
Corner awarded to Astana.
30 Corner awarded to Astana.
Twumasi (Astana) delivers the corner.
30 Twumasi (Astana) delivers the corner.
Corner awarded to Astana.
30 Corner awarded to Astana.
Beysebekov (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Tierney (Celtic).
26 Beysebekov (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Tierney (Celtic).
Griffiths (Celtic) misses the target.
24 Griffiths (Celtic) misses the target.
Brown (Celtic) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Twumasi (Astana).
23 Brown (Celtic) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Twumasi (Astana).
Brown (Celtic) misses the target.
22 Brown (Celtic) misses the target.
Armstrong (Celtic) takes the corner.
22 Armstrong (Celtic) takes the corner.
Corner awarded to Celtic.
22 Corner awarded to Celtic.
****** (Astana) is cautioned by the referee.
21 ****** (Astana) is cautioned by the referee.
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****** (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Forrest (Celtic).
21 ****** (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Forrest (Celtic).
Erić (Astana) makes a save.
20 Erić (Astana) makes a save.
Roberts (Celtic) has an effort on goal.
20 Roberts (Celtic) has an effort on goal.
Armstrong (Celtic) takes the free-kick.
20 Armstrong (Celtic) takes the free-kick.
Nurgaliyev (Astana) is penalised for a foul on McGregor (Celtic).
19 Nurgaliyev (Astana) is penalised for a foul on McGregor (Celtic).
Beysebekov (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Forrest (Celtic).
18 Beysebekov (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Forrest (Celtic).
Armstrong (Celtic) takes the free-kick.
16 Armstrong (Celtic) takes the free-kick.
Muzhikov (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Forrest (Celtic).
16 Muzhikov (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Forrest (Celtic).
Muzhikov (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Forrest (Celtic).
14 Muzhikov (Astana) is penalised for a foul on Forrest (Celtic).
Beysebekov (Astana) concedes a free-kick for a foul on O'Connell (Celtic).
9 Beysebekov (Astana) concedes a free-kick for a foul on O'Connell (Celtic).
Twumasi (Astana) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Brown (Celtic).
4 Twumasi (Astana) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Brown (Celtic).
The match is under way.
The match is under way.

BBC

By Tom English

BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

9 hours ago From the section Football

Moussa Dembele scores
Moussa Dembele's first Celtic goal took them through to the Champions League play-off round

Moussa Dembele scored a dramatic stoppage-time penalty as Celtic moved one round away from the Champions League group stage.

A first-half Leigh Griffiths penalty had put Celtic 1-0 ahead on the night, and 2-1 on aggregate, against Astana.

But their evening was thrown into chaos when Agim Ibraimi scored from 40 yards.

Extra time – and possibly penalties – seemed to beckon until Dembele won the penalty that he then converted for his first goal for the club.

That sent a raucous stadium into absolute raptures, while Astana of Kazakhstan were left stunned.

They finished with just nine men on the pitch, Igor ****** sent-off for his costly foul on Dembele and Dmitri Shomko also walking for a crazed protest at the awarding of the penalty.

Celtic now go into Friday's draw for the final play-off round – leaving them just two games away from the Champions League group stage. Even if they lose that tie, they are guaranteed a place in the group stage of the Europa League.
Who could Celtic face?
Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia), Ludogorets Razgrad (Bulgaria), Copenhagen (Denmark), Hapoel Be'er Sheva (Israel), Dundalk (Republic of Ireland).

There was no early evidence that this was going to become so tumultuous. Celtic swarmed all over Astana from the start, hustling and harrying the visitors and denying them the space and opportunities they enjoyed in the first leg last week.

There really was only one team in it, Celtic dominating possession and territory. They lost Patrick Roberts to injury after just half an hour, but their control continued, albeit without many chances being created.

There was late drama in the first half, though. Kieran Tierney was taken down in the box by Abzal Beysebekov and Griffiths swept in his penalty.

Having given Celtic the equaliser in Astana, Griffiths had now put his team 2-1 ahead on aggregate – and early in the second half he could have put the tie almost beyond doubt.

From a Stefan Johansen pass, Griffiths could only find the Astana side-netting. Soon after, a raking ball from Scott Brown put Griffiths through again. As he was about to shoot, he was snuffed out by a terrific tackle by ******.
Kieran Tierney
Celtic defender Kieran Tierney could not stop Agim Abraimi's long-range shot from going in

Astana stirred at that point. They had the ball in the Celtic net when Roger Canas headed home after Gordon was caught in no-man's land, but it was chalked off for offside.

It was reminder that the tie was far from dead. Brendan Rodgers brought on defender Kolo Toure for his debut to shore things up with half an hour remaining. Toure had barely drawn breath as a Celtic player when Astana scored.

They were caught out through the middle by a long ball; Gordon forced to gallop out of his box to avert the danger with a clearing header. Instead, the ball was gathered by Ibraimi, who promptly struck the most sumptuous 40-yard shot over the stranded Celtic goalkeeper and into his net.

It wasn't the first time Ibraimi had sickened Celtic. He was a major force in the Maribor team that dumped them out of the Champions League under Ronny Deila and now he was threatening to repeat the torment.

Level at 2-2 on aggregate, Celtic Park gulped hard – and then roared thunderously – when Dembele's gorgeous trickery ended with him being upended in the box.

The new striker, just turned 20, stood over the penalty and then smashed it home, cool as you like amid the cauldron.

Parody: CELTS IN 3 GOAL EURO TIGHTROPE

By 'BILL LECKIE' (parody account, not real…)

By God, it was close. I bet not many Celts fans had A-STANA under their official New Balance shorts after this game which only raised HAIRS.

It took two debatable penalties to put Brendan and his potato stew-crew through to the play-off round and by God hell mend them.

If this is what the Parkhead faithful are going to have to endure this season then count me out. And yes there was a huge crowd inside Celtic Park and loads of scarves worn and lots of songs sung. Hell, there was even a new-fangled STANDING section.

The only thing standing by half-time were the two sides of Mark Warburton's grin as the home side struggled like a man struggling to get home after a particularly brutal struggle with potatoes.

Time after time Astana launched attacks on the Celtic goal and only a combination of luck and poor finishing prevented the away side from running up the type of score you only used to see on Coisty's head-board.

Of course it's a funny game and just before half-time Tierney did a Tom Daley in the box – did you see what I did there? – and Celtic were awarded a PENALTY.

Leigh Griffiths scored it and immediately raised his hand in triumph. You only hoped UEFA were watching after his behaviour last week.

Second 45 saw Astana batter the hoops harder than Coisty holding a racquet over Sue Barker and duly the equaliser came stronger than Coisty watching Patsy Kensit snogging Sue Barker. With a TENNIS RACQUET.

A Craig Gordon headed clearance, a piece of superb control and goal by Ibraimi. And it was game on.

But alas the hoops conned the ref once more and Moussa Dembele slammed the penalty home when I hoped it was easier to miss.

Still, there is always September and the first old firm game of the season, which I won't be watching as I support St Mirren 100%.