Celtic survive scare to reach group stage

Celtic progressed to the group stages of the Champions League despite suffering a scare against Kazakhstan Premier League champions FC Astana.

The Scottish champions came into the tie with a 5-0 lead, but a host of defensive mistakes threatened to undo all of their good work as Astana targeted a remarkable comeback.

An own goal by teenager Kris Ajer, who was standing in for the injured Jozo Simunovic in the Celtic defence, gave the hosts an early lead and renewed hope.

Less than ten minutes later Scott Sinclair curled in a wonderful effort to secure a crucial away goal and seemingly put an end to the tie.

Now needing six goals to advance, FC Astana came flying out of the blocks after the restart and two goals in as many minutes restored the home team’s belief. Serikzhan Muzhikov scored their second while Patrick Twumasi added a third as Celtic’s complacency was punished.

Twumasi made things even more uncomfortable for Celtic when he slipped the ball past Craig Gordon, but thanks to the away goal Astana still needed three.

And any dreams of a Barcelona style comeback were squashed when Olivier Ntcham and Leigh Griffiths scored in the last minutes.

Celtic need reinforcements in defence: Missing three of their best defenders to injury, Celtic were forced to field teenager Ajer alongside midfielder Nir Bitton at centre-back. And only for their proficiency in attack, Brendan Rodgers’ side could have been on the end of a humiliating Champions League exit. With only eight days until the closure of the transfer window, the Scottish giants need to get their cheque book out and buy a couple of defenders if they’re to have any joy in the group stages.

Patrick Twumasi (FC Astana) – The Ghanaian tortured Celtic’s makeshift defence and grabbed two goals to turn the match on its head.

FC Astana: Eric 7, Shitov 6, Anicic 6, Kleinheisler 6, Muzhikov 6, Tomasov 8, Maevski 6, Twumasi 8, Kabananga 7, Postnikov 6. Shomko 7. Subs: Grahovac 6, Beysebekov 6, Tagybergen 6.

Celtic: Gordon 5, Lustig 5, Ajer 4, Bitton 4, Tierney 6, Brown 6, Ntcham 7, Forrest 7, McGregor 6, Sinclair 7, Griffiths 8. Subs: Armstrong 6, Rogic 6, Gamboa, Ralston 6.

26’ - GOAL! FC Astana 1-0 Celtic (Celtic lead 5-1 on aggregate). Well, well, well, the hosts have the breakthrough! Is a comeback possibly on? Dmitri Shomko's powerful effort from 25 yards takes a deflection off Kris Ajer, wrong-foots Craig Gordon and into the back of the net.

34’ - GOAL! FC Astana 1-1 Celtic (Celtic lead 6-1 on aggregate). Well, if the outcome of this game was ever in doubt, it isn't now. Scott Sinclair shows his class with a few step-overs, cuts inside and curls the ball into the top corner of the goal. A brilliant goal from the winger.

48’ - GOAL! FC Astana 2-1 Celtic (Celtic lead 6-2 on aggregate). Serikzhan Muzhikov controls the ball well and sticks it past Craig Gordon and FC Astana are ahead on the night.

49' GOAL! FC Astana 3-1 Celtic (Celtic lead 6-3 on aggregate). The hosts do it again! Patrick Twumasi is left completely unmarked to head in Astana's third of the evening. A nightmare start to the second-half for Celtic!

69’ - GOAL! FC Astana 4-1 Celtic (Celtic lead 6-4 on aggregate). Incredible, FC Astana have their fourth of the night and now Celtic are really rocking! Patrick Twumasi is allowed acres of space on the right-flank, he bursts into the penalty area and tucks it underneath Craig Gordon.

80’ - GOAL! FC Astana 4-2 Celtic (Celtic lead 7-4 on aggregate). The Scottish champions can relax. Olivier Ntcham grabs Celtic's second away goal of the night and the tie is now well and truly put to bed.

90’ - GOAL! FC Astana 4-3 Celtic (Celtic lead 8-4 on aggregate). Leigh Griffiths has worked tirelessly this evening and now he finally gets the goal his performance warranted. He is allowed time and space to shoot from the edge of the penalty area and he makes no mistake, hammering the ball low into the bottom corner.

Celtic have lost away from home for the first time in any competition since September 2016.

Astana are the fourth team to score four or more goals past Celtic in the Champions League since 2000 joining Barcelona, FC Petržalka and Legia.