CELTIC battered their way into the second qualifying round of the Champions League – on the day PSG reached the 2020 final.
A double from Mohamed Elyounoussi, plus goals from Chris Jullien, Greg Taylor, Odsonne Edouard and an own goal from Arnor Adalsteinsson saw Neil Lennon’s Hoops avoid a one-off banana skin against the Icelanders.
Two-goal Norwegian Mohamed Elyounoussi celebrates with fellow Celtic scorer Chris Jullien as Reykjavik are hammered 6-0Credit: Getty Images – Getty
On-loan Southampton frontman Mohamed Elyounoussi tucks home for Celtic as their Icelandic visitors are outclassedCredit: Reuters
Odsonne Edouard puts the finishing touch to his glorious goal, the fifth of Celtic’s six as they netted three times in each halfCredit: Reuters
The Scots have failed to qualify for the group stage of Europe’s elite competition since 2017.
And they will hope the new one-legged format — up until the play-off round — will work to their advantage in a bid to play among the big boys.
Celtic now have just a week to rest before the second round against either Hungarians Ferencvaros or Swedish champs Djurgarden.
The Hoops barely got out of second gear against an inept KR Reykjavik at Parkhead.
There was an eerie silence without the raucous home fans at the usually bouncing venue — but Lennon’s men did their best to up the ante early on.
EDOUARD SOLO SPECIAL
Jullien lifted a long ball over the top into miles of space for Southampton loan winger Elyounoussi to latch on to.
He rounded the goalkeeper with his first touch and slotted into an empty net after just six minutes.
Reykjavik were playing more expansively knowing this was a winner-takes-all clash.
But that played right into Celtic’s hands as they grabbed a second before the 20-minute mark.
Working it well from the back, it was sent wide to full-back Hatem Elhamed — whose low ball into the six-yard box was waiting to be tapped home.
Instead, defender Adalsteinsson nestled the ball in his own net.
More poor defending was to follow 15 minutes before the break as centre-back Jullien leapt to head home Ryan Christie’s corner into the roof of the net.
Celtic went into the break with 16 shots — 11 of those on target — and had another within seconds of the restart to grab their fourth.
Full-back to full-back, Elhamed’s deep cross found Taylor to nod in at the far post.
Edouard piled misery on the Icelandic champions on 72 minutes with a superb solo goal.
Elyounoussi grabbed his second at the death, teed up by sub Olivier Ntcham’s sublime pass.
Meanwhile, Northern Irish champs LINFIELD went out 1-0 to LEGIA WARSAW after ex-Oldham striker Kirk Millar was sent off for the visiting Blues.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
