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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers along with some of his players after the game. Graham Stuart
Onwards

Celtic clinch knockout spot despite defeat while fans make heartwarming gesture to Griffiths

Celtic were able to breathe a sigh of relief as they advanced from Group B in the Europa League.

CELTIC NEEDED A lot of good fortune to reach the Europa League knockout rounds after slipping to a 2-1 home loss to Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday.

Rosenborg’s late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig cost the Bundesliga side second spot and instead gave the Scottish champions a reprieve as they advance behind Group B winners Salzburg.

During the game, Celtic fans came together to show a heartwarming message of support for Leigh Griffiths.

The Celtic striker has spoken publicly for the first time since making a decision to step away from football in order to receive professional help dealing with personal issues in his life away from the game.

Back on the pitch, all hope appeared lost for Celtic, who were outplayed for large stretches against Salzburg, after Munas Dabbur and Fredrik Gulbrandsen struck twice in 10 second-half minutes.

But the home fans were in boisterous sprits in the closing moments as news filtered through of the result in Germany and they had additional reason to cheer when Olivier Ntcham reduced the deficit in stoppage time.

The hosts rode their luck throughout the opening 45 minutes with Diadie Samassekou and Stefan Lainer both hitting the woodwork.

Dabbur, twice on target in the reverse encounter between these teams, finally made Salzburg’s dominance count by heading in Lainer’s cross in the 67th minute.

Craig Gordon gifted away a second 10 minutes later as Gulbrandsen stole the ball from the goalkeeper’s throw and tucked into an empty net, but the blow was softened by Rosenborg’s unexpected late goal against Leipzig.

Jerome Onguene then fouled Filip Benkovic deep into stoppage time and Ntcham was able to add a footnote to a strange match from the spot, the midfielder pouncing on the rebound of Alexander Walke’s save from his initial attempt.

Additional reporting by Sinéad Farrell

Murray Kinsella, Gavan Casey and Eddie O’Sullivan preview another big weekend of Heineken Cup action and dissect the week’s main talking points.


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