UEFA Europa League
Third qualifying round, first leg
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Stadion Strelnice, Czech Republic

FK JABLONEC… 2
(Pilar 17, Malinsky 85)

CELTIC… 4
(Abada 12, Kyogo 16, Forrest 64, Christie 90)

An entertaining 4-2 win against FK Jablonec tonight (Thursday) in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League third round qualifier sees Celtic return to Glasgow with a two-goal advantage.

Two fine first-half goals from Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi – the latter’s first in green and white – were complimented by more of the same from James Forrest and Ryan Christie in the second, while the home side’s goals came via Pilar and Malinsky.

Celtic started the match well, building their way into the game with a spell of concerted possession, with Callum McGregor dictating play from the centre of the pitch throughout the opening 15 minutes.

However, it was the captain’s midfield counterpart, David Turnbull, who crafted his side’s best chance on nine minutes. Anthony Ralston burst from the back with the same determination shown at Tynecastle on Saturday, before slipping the attacker into the box to his left. Turnbull opted to strike with his first touch but his effort was ultimately too close to the goalkeeper.

Just three minutes later and Celtic broke the deadlock via Liel Abada, the Israeli winger’s second goal for Celtic, again scored in European competition. The move was well-executed when Forrest slipped the overlapping Greg Taylor down the left flank before the full-back cut-back low into the box. Abada’s first effort was blocked but he made no mistake with the follow-up.

Jablonec stepped out to press the visitors from kick-off in search of an equaliser. Debutant Joe Hart was required to parry an effort low to his right to keep the Hoops in front before, two minutes later, Celtic doubled their lead.

Nir Bitton was the provider with a superb through-ball split the defence to Kyogo, whose first touch took him into the box behind the last defender, before his second lofted the ball over Hanus in goal.

Two up with just 16 minutes on the clock, Celtic went in search of a third but left themselves exposed at the back. The home side took full advantage and caught the Hoops’ backline out with a long high ball over the top which Pilar coolly converted.

From there, Celtic help possession well and passed the ball from back to front. A series of long-range efforts fell to Bitton, Turnbull, McGregor and Forrest but none of them troubled the Jablonec stopper.

Kyogo opens scoring account as Celts triumph in Europa qualifier