Mulgrew gives some hope as Celtic fail to grasp full home comforts

Celtic 2 HJK Helsinki 1: CELTIC RECOVERED from the loss of an away goal to take a first-leg lead against HJK Helsinki in Champions League qualifying round three.

Gary Hooper, James Forrest and Joe Ledley all had chances as the hosts started brightly.

But it was HJKs Rasmus Schuller who broke the deadlock with a close range volley just after half-time. Hooper equalised with a tap-in before Charlie Mulgrew headed Celtic ahead in the tie.

Neil Lennons men take on the Finns in next Wednesdays second leg at the Sonera Stadium in Helsinki. And the manager will hope his side show the finishing prowess of their second half performance at Celtic Park after missing several chances in the opening period.

The Scottish Premier League champions threatened straight from the kick-off with Georgios Samaras heading a long ball onto Hooper only for the angle to get the better of the striker.

Samaras was prominent again with a cross towards James Forrest, who headed wide before indicating his displeasure at Mikko Sumusalos aerial challenge in the six-yard box.

Hooper and Kris Commons failed to connect properly with Forrests cutback and Ledley flashed a shot wide from the loose ball before testing goalkeeper Ville Wallen with a controlled volley moments later.

HJK weathered the storm and Joel Perovuo forced Celtic keeper Fraser Forster into a save with a low 25-yard drive.

And the Finns dealt a blow to Celtics hopes when a neat passing move put Schuller through on goal shortly after the break.

The midfielders first effort was blocked by Forster but the ricocheted back to Schuller off Victor Wanyama and the left-foot volley found the net.

Celtic responded with Commons powerful drive striking the post and rebounding out for a corner off the head of Wallen.

But the leveller did come when Samaras low centre set up Hooper to finish. The hosts were galvanised and Mulgrews downward header from Commons corner edged them ahead.

Commons shot on the turn drifted wide as HJK continued to come under pressure and Forrest collided with team-mate Hooper as he tried to get into a scoring position off substitute Anthony Stokes pass.

Scott Brown was then denied by Wallen as HJK held firm against a late rally to boost their confidence for next weeks return leg.