Five-star Celtic destroy Astana to all but secure Champions League spot

Scottish champions Celtic produced a sublime performance to thump Astana 5-0 in their Champions League play-off first leg at Celtic Park, a win that all but secures their place in the lucrative group stage.

Celtic - who extended their unbeaten run to 41 games - have started the season in fine form, and were ahead after only half-an-hour as Tom Rogic saw his effort deflected over the line by Astana's Evgeny Postnikov.

The unfortunate defender then missed a gilt-edged opportunity, and then, just before the half-time break, Sinclair doubled the hosts' advantage.

Sinclair grabbed his second of the evening after the restart, but not without controversy. Rogic and Yuri Logvinenko were involved in a sickening clash of heads in the build-up, but referee Ovidiu Haţegan allowed play to continue.

The drama wasn't over there however, as James Forrest grabbed a fourth, before Leigh Griffiths's shot was turned in by Igor Shitov as Celtic ran riot in front of their 60,000 fans in Glasgow's East End.

The return leg against the Kazakh champions takes place on Tuesday, but barring a minor miracle, Celtic will be qualifying for the group stage for the second straight year - an outcome that will see the club secure upwards of £25m as Brendan Rodgers' side mix it with Europe's elite.

Classy Celtic steal the show: This time last year, Celtic nervously battled their way past FC Astana to reach the play-off round with a 3-2 aggregate victory before somewhat unconvincingly sealing their place in the group stages after a narrow 5-4 win over two legs against Hapoel Be'er Sheva. Fast forward 12 months and Brendan Rodgers' side are a different beast. Sceptics claim the Scottish champions would struggle to survive in the Premier League, but Rodgers has assembled a fine side that may well cause a major upset among Europe's best this season.

Leigh Griffiths (Celtic): Had his goal cruelly taken from him by the Dubious Goals Committee, but the 26-year-old deserved better. He was involved with everything positive this evening and his movement caused chaos in the FC Astana defensive line.

Celtic: Gordon 7; Lustig 7, Biton 7, Simunovic 7, Tierney 8; Brown 7, Nitcham 7; Forrest 8, Rogic 8, Sinclair 8; Griffiths 9. Subs: Armstrong N/A, McGregor 6.

FC Astana: Mokin 5; Shitov 4, Postnikov 5, Logvinenko 5, Shomko 4; Maevski 5, Kleinhesler 5; Twumasi 5, Mushikov, Tomasov 5; Kabananga 6. Subs: Grahovic N/A, Beisebekov 5, Murtazayec 5.

7' - JUST WIDE! Griffiths peels off his marker to meet James Forrest's inch-perfect cross, but somehow directs his header wide of the Astana goal. Some of the Celtic fans thought it was in. A big opportunity has gone begging.

32' - GOAL! Celtic 1-0 FC Astana. Celtic are ahead! Tom Rogic collects the ball outside the penalty area. He goes past a defender too easily, closes in on the goalkeeper and slides the ball into the bottom of the net. The last touch was by Evgeny Postnikov so it'll go down as an OG.

33' - CLOSE! Astana win a corner straight from kick-off and should level the scores! Gordon is all at sea as the cross is delivered, but the unmarked Postnikov mis-times his jump and nods wide of the goal.

42' - GOAL! Celtic 2-0 FC Astana. A HUGE goal, Celtic are now two ahead! Scott Sinclair pounces on a loose ball in midfield, takes a touch which sets him up to shoot and coolly delivers it inside the post. Goalkeeper should have done better, but Celtic won't care one little bit.

60'- GOAL! Celtic 3-0 FC Astana. The Scottish champions are now surely out of sight. Scott Sinclair tucks home his second of the evening to give his side some breathing space. It's not without controversy though - Rogic and Logivinenko were involved in a sickening clash of heads in the build-up, but the referee allowed play to continue.

79' - GOAL! Celtic 4-0 FC Astana. Celtic are all but through to the group stages now! Leigh Griffiths tees up James Forrest who tucks the ball home from the tightest of angles. It caps a fine night for Brendan Rodgers' side.

88' - GOAL! Celtic 5-0 FC Astana. Leigh Griffiths' low shot is deflected in by Igor Shitov - fortunate, but it's in nonetheless.

Celtic have now won 16 of their last 18 Champions League qualifying games at Celtic Park.