Gustaf Lagerbielke emerged as an unexpected savior as Celtic broke their streak of Champions League losses with a thrilling finish in their inactive match against Feyenoord at Parkhead.
In the 33rd minute, Luis Palma scored a penalty for the home team after Liam Scales was fouled. However, the Dutch champions equalized in the 82nd minute with a goal from Yankuba Minteh.
However Lagerbielke, on as a substitute, headed home his first Celtic goal in stoppage time on his first appearance since September to secure a 2-1 victory. The Sweden centre-back nodded in from close range following Matt O’Riley’s exquisite cross as Celtic maintained pressure following a corner.
This marked Celtic’s initial victory in the Champions League group stage after a 16-match drought, dating back to their win over Anderlecht six years ago when Brendan Rodgers was first in command. It was also their first home win since defeating Ajax in October 2013. The exciting conclusion brought energy to the lackluster home crowd and helped Celtic, who were last in Group E, increase their point total from last season by two.
Stephen Welsh made his return to the Celtic starting team after being out for four months with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Kyogo Furuhashi was given the start after two appearances as a substitute. Mikey Johnston and Tomoki Iwata were also given their third consecutive starts, but Iwata had to be substituted out in the 19th minute due to injury. Paulo Bernardo came on in his place.
Feyenoord could not finish above third place and they made five changes. Their supporters were out in full force with several pockets of away fans evident in home sections. With the vocal Green Brigade group still banned by Celtic and nothing at stake, the visitors from Rotterdam highlighted the lack of atmosphere among their hosts with chants including: “Shall we sing a song for you?”
In the first quarter, both teams managed to get through the defense. Furuhashi had a shot on goal blocked by Justin Bijlow after receiving a pass from Scales. Santiago Giménez was called offside after getting past Joe Hart and scoring, and then the goalie made a diving save when the Mexican player ran onto a long pass.
Celtic scored the first goal after Ramiz Zerrouki committed a foul on Scales during Feyenoord’s defense of a corner. The away team protested strongly, but the French referee, Benoît Bastien, did not use VAR to see the violation, and video replays supported his call. Palma remained composed and successfully converted the penalty amidst the commotion.
The Celtic team was able to withstand various threats before halftime. Goalkeeper Joe Hart made an impressive save right before Callum McGregor prevented a goal, and Lutsharel Geertruida hit the post from a short distance after Feyenoord broke through their defense.
In the beginning of the second half, Palma had a great chance to increase his score when Alistair Johnston’s pass went to the back post, but Bijlow stopped it with his foot.
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Hart made two more solid saves before Celtic gained stronger command over the game. Rodgers substituted Welsh for Lagerbielke and 17-year-old left-back Mitchel Frame made his first appearance on the wing after Palma suffered a facial injury and was replaced in the 75th minute.
The score was equalized by the visitors after the ball was passed to Minteh on the left side, allowing the substitute to score from a distance of 10 yards. Two impressive saves from Hart and a block from Scales prevented Celtic from conceding a goal before McGregor’s attempt from 30 yards hit the crossbar.
Celtic appeared to be facing yet another unfortunate defeat until Lagerbielke’s goal ignited excitement, causing a few fans to rush onto the field in celebration. One fan triggered a furious reaction from Rodgers, who sprinted up the sideline to scold the fan before being escorted away by security.
Celtic’s lead was preserved by a Hart save and a Johnston block. The game ended with another chaotic scramble in front of the goal before the final whistle blew.
Source: theguardian.com
