Celtic 2-1 Sturm Graz

Horvat (15′) Scales (61′) Nygren (64′)

Celtic got their first European win of the season as they came from behind to defeat Austrian champions Sturm Graz 2-1 at Celtic Park.

Tomi Horvat scored a screamer to close the opening quarter of an hour but two corner routines three minutes apart created goals for Liam Scales and Benjamin Nygren to move the Hoops into the top 24 of the league phase.

It was a more characteristic performance from the Parkhead club who looked eager to right the wrongs of Sunday when they were deservedly beaten by Dundee.

The hosts were stung in the opening two minutes when Kelechi Iheanacho fell to the ground with a muscle injury, and had to be replaced by Johnny Kenny.

The Irishman chased down a long ball from a returning Alistair Johnston down the right flank on the 14th minute, and fashioned an opportunity for himself when he knicked the ball from Dimitri Lavalee. The angle was never favourable for the striker however, as his shot flashed wide.

Just one minute later, Sturm Graz midfielder Horvat picked up the ball around 30 yards and unleashed a rocket with his left boot that landed into the top left corner of Kasper Schmeichel’s goal. The Dane came under a lot of criticism last time out for Celtic in the Europa League, but there was no stopping the Slovenian’s strike this time.

Celtic were forced into another change just 25 minutes in, with the comeback of Alistair Johnston brought to devastatingly early end. The Canadian international looked gutted heading up the tunnel with a suspected hamstring injury, having not played due to a similar issue since Celtic’s home leg draw with Kairat Almaty in August.

The Bhoys nearly levelled the scoring immediately after the restart. Reo Hatate broke forward and his left-footed half volley going over the bar woke the home crowd up.

But the equaliser would come after a period of sustained pressure on the 61st minute. A short corner found its way inside the box to Colby Donovan, who’s low ball was met by Liam Scales and the Irishman pushed the ball into the bottom left corner with a deft finish.

And Celtic put themselves ahead with another corner three minutes later. Arne Engels whipped a ball into the six yard box, and Benjamin Nygren rose highest to nod home. There was a roar of relief from the Swede, having missed four big chances leading up this.

The visitors were reduced to ten men on the 70th minute. Tochi Chukwuani was beaten to the ball in a 50/50 by Callum McGregor and the Danish midfielder’s studs caught the Celtic captain too high on the shin for referee Juan Martinez’s liking.

The result moves Celtic into the playoff section of the Europa League in 21st. They have three domestic bouts to hurdle, including the small matters of a trip to Tynecastle and Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers, before their next European fixture away to Europa League leaders FC Midtjylland of Denmark.

CELTIC: Schmeichel 5, Johnston 3 (Donovan 26′ 7), Carter-Vickers 6, Scales 7, Tierney 7, Hatate 5, Engels 8, McGregor 6, Nygren 6, Tounekti (Balikwisha 78′ 2) 6, Iheanacho 1 (Kenny 2′ 5)

STURM GRAZ: Bignetti 5, Oermann 4 (Mitchell 46′ 4), Aiwu 6, Lavalee 5, Karic 5, Chukwuani 3, Stankovic 6, Horvat 7 (Kayombo 82′ 1), Rozga 5 (Hodl 59′ 3), Malone 6 (Jatta 59’4)