Celtic vs Feyenoord. UEFA Champions League Group E.
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Report as Celtic beat Feyenoord 2-1 in their final Champions League group match; Luis Palma fired Celtic ahead from the penalty spot; Yankuba Minteh equalised before Gustaf Lagerbielke's late goal earned the Hoops their first Champions League home win since 2013
Thursday 14 December 2023 06:11, UK
Gustaf Lagerbielke's first Celtic goal earned them a long-awaited Champions League victory to end a disappointing campaign on a high.
With hopes of European football after Christmas already over, Brendan Rodgers was hoping for a night to remember as the Hoops looked for their first home win in Europe's elite competition for a decade.
Luis Palma's perfect first-half penalty, after Liam Scales was brought down in the box, gave Celtic hope of a famous night under the lights at Parkhead.
Yankuba Minteh looked to have rescued a draw for the Eredivisie Champions late on, but substitute Lagerbielke nodded in Matt O'Riley's ball in stoppage time to earn Celtic their first Champions League victory since Anderlecht in Brussels in 2017.
The Hoops finished bottom of Group E on four points while Feyenoord will drop into the Europa League.
Celtic had the best of the early possession and Callum McGregor had the chance to open the scoring after collecting from Matt O'Riley in the box, but he fired his effort straight at goalkeeper Justin Bijlow.
Kyogo Furuhashi then found himself through on goal but the striker took one touch too many and Bijlow saved with his feet.
Celtic were forced into a change less than 20 minutes into the match, with Tomoki Iwata replaced by Paulo Bernardo after injuring himself in a challenge with Quinten Timber.
Feyenoord began to grow into the game and Santiago Gimenez thought he had given them the lead when he rounded Joe Hart to fire home in the 22nd minute, but it was ruled out for offside.
Hart then reacted well to deny Gimenez after the striker latched onto a long ball and smashed it towards the Celtic goal.
The Hoops were awarded a penalty in the 31st minute after Liam Scales went down under a challenge from Ramiz Zerrouki.
Luis Palma stepped up and showed great composure to fire straight down the middle for his second Champions League goal of the season.
Hart then produced another fine save to deny Giminez a quick equaliser before McGregor produced a vital block to stop Timber from taking advantage.
It was end to end and Bijlow punched Palma's corner clear and claimed O'Riley's effort before Lutsharel Geertruida stuck the post for Feyenoord.
Hart came out to claim a shot after Stephen Welsh hesitated just after the break before Bejlow produced a fine save to deny Palma a second for Celtic, turning his shot away with his foot.
The former England 'keeper beat away another Feyenoord cross with Bernardo blocking Mats Wieffer's rebound as the visitors threatened again.
Brendan Rodgers brought on 17-year-old defender Mitchel Frame for his debut as Celtic continued to hold onto their lead.
Feyenoord did find an equaliser when substitute Yankuba Minteh drilled home Gimenez's ball in the 83rd minute.
But Celtic were not finished and Lagerbielke rose to nod home O'Riley's perfect pass in stoppage time to secure a win as the home crowd exploded.
Hart then managed to beat away Minteh's effort to secure an elusive victory.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers:
"The players showed that they've learned throughout the process because we've seen games over the years where the equaliser comes and then the other team go on to get the winner.
"So you've got to tip the hat to the players because the mentality in the game was very, very good.
"Some people might say this was a nothing game but it meant everything to us in the process we are in - to get the victory and feel the confidence of being able to compete at this level.
"I think over the course of this competition we've shown moments of potential, especially at home.
"We could have been sat on nine points just from our three home games.
"Thoroughly deserved it tonight. They put everything into the game and it's always nice to get the win late on.
"We've known it has been a challenge for us with key players being out.
"Over the course of the six games and I've seen enough in how we've played and how we've fought in games that - if we can strengthen the squad and add quality in key areas, we can take the confidence from this victory and look to qualify again next year."
Celtic return to the Scottish Premiership on Saturday when they host Hearts at Celtic Park, kick-off 3pm.
