Celtic survived a torrid night in the Netherlands to overtake AZ Alkmaar on aggregate and reach the Europa League groups for the fourth consecutive season.
Kyogo Furuhashi’s first goal in the third minute put Celtic ahead 3-0 in the tie, but Zakaria Aboukhlal soon pounced on an error by goalkeeper Joe Hart to equalize and Carl Starfelt’s calamitous own goal gave the AZ the advantage in the second leg.
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Hart earned a partial redemption with two key saves from Aboukhlal, and Ernest Poku missed a late opportunity as Celtic held on amid intense pressure.
Ange Postecoglou’s men enter Friday’s draw despite the end of their six-game winning streak, while AZ fall in the Conference League.
Celtic had kept four clean sheets in the last five games and scored 24 goals in their winning streak, but that solidity and fluid football were starkly absent in the Netherlands.
The Scottish team’s dream start was quickly annulled in a nightmare and bug-ridden first half.
Hart was seriously fouled as AZ received a draw. Center-back Stephen Welsh couldn’t deal with a kickoff from AZ goalkeeper Hobie Verhulst, the ball skimming his chest towards Hart.
The former England goalkeeper had plenty of time to clear at the edge of his area, but he hesitated inexplicably and Aboukhal kicked the ball off his toe to fit into an empty net.
Celtic’s second concession was even worse, with Starfelt no pressure as he threw a fresh air blow to a cross, the ball flying into the net from his supporting leg.
The visitors had caught AZ superbly in the third minute when a long pass from Anthony Ralston down the right unleashed Liel Abada, whose cross left Kyogo with a single shot for his seventh goal in seven starts.
However, Postecoglou’s men seemed uncomfortable and nervous at times, not helped by the loss of left back Greg Taylor to injury in the first half, with young Adam Montgomery in place.
Aboukhal was a constant danger, with Hart impressively frustrating the forward on either side of the break.
However, the goalkeeper had a new rush of blood to his head as he ran to the edge of the box and missed his shot attempt. Celtic were lucky that AZ couldn’t capitalize, with Hart blocking Jesper Karlsson’s shot from behind and Bruno Martins Indi deflecting the next corner very close to the goal.
AZ looked much more polished and Koshi Suguwara fired a couple of shots off goal, while Captain Teun Koopmeiners shot was not far from the bottom corner.
Odsonne Edouard’s presentation after the hour gave Celtic a physical focal point up front as they began to stop the flow and Montgomery and Ryan Christie sent diverted efforts off target.
To their credit, Celtic held on and saw the task, surviving a big late scare when substitute Poku took the lead from six yards with the goal wide open.
Man of the Match – Zakaria Aboukhlal
What did we learn?
This was Celtic’s biggest test so far under Postecoglou and while it was far from convincing, they achieved their goal.
They remain a work in progress and the need for more additions was reinforced before the looming transfer deadline.
Hart and Starfelt’s mistakes were troubling lapses as Celtic’s old defensive flaws came back to haunt them.
What did they say?
Celtic coach Ange Postecoglou: “It is very important that we overcome it. Different kind of performance tonight, but rewarding for doing the job in two stages.
“We made two pretty terrible mistakes, but people make mistakes. Joe made a couple of outstanding saves and Carl defended strongly in the second half. “
Whats Next?
Celtic will meet their group opponents in the Europa League in Friday’s draw (11:00 BST) before traveling to Ibrox on Sunday (12:00) to face Rangers in the Old Firm opening derby of the season. the Scottish Premiership.
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