Round one to Larsson in battle of the Celts

Celtic...1 Celta Vigo...0
Martin O'Neill sent out the team that humbled Blackburn Rovers as Celtic attempted to establish a measure of superiority in the first leg of the UEFA Cup tie against Celtic Viga last night.

The plan worked, too, as the Scottish champions, with Chris Sutton in midfield and Stilian Petrov fit after sustaining an horrific facial wound against Livingston at the weekend, made life distinctly difficult for their visitors and took the spoils thanks to Henrik Larsson's headed winner.

European nights in Glasgow are seldom dull and uninteresting and this was no exception as the two teams battled from the outset to establish some momentum.

The fact that the Spaniards were clearly not content to sit back and soak up whatever Celtic had to offer was amply illustrated as early as 20 seconds into the proceedings, when a mistake by the normally reliable Joos Valgaeren sent Silvinho on his way, but the ex-Arsenal player's cross was not met properly by Gustavo Lopez and that allowed Robert Douglas an easier save than he might have expected.

Still, that set the tempo and thereafter it never relented.

Yet, Celtic did settle after the early scare and created chances of their own. Petrov drove one good effort wide and after 10 minutes Jose Pinto raced 30 yards to clear from John Hartson who claimed he had used a hand in the process.

The French referee, however, ignored that suggestion and irritated the home team still further by issuing three warnings to the Welshman for a variety of infringements as well as refusing to award what seemed like a corner.

It was all too much for the manager Martin O'Neill who exploded from the dug-out area to berate the poor fourth official whose connection with the decisions was tenuous to say the least.

It was all a bit more promising for the Scots nevertheless and they should have gone ahead after 20 minutes.

Pinto, not at all comfortable under pressure, flapped at a Steve Guppy cross, but Didier Agathe under no pressure volleyed high, wide and not very handsome when it seemed easier to hit the target.

That was unquestionably an opportunity lost and it seemed to affect Celtic who suffered from a lack of self-belief for a spell during which Peter Luccin went close for Vigo.

More than anything, though, the home team were suffering from some strange decisions from the French officials and Petrov positively harangued assistant referee Vincent Texier in front of the main stand for one quite outrageous offside that also left O'Neill shaking his head in despair.

It had been a frustrating half for Celtic.

The second period was only three minutes old when Vigo replaced Catanha with Edu and the change may have disrupted the visitors who conceded a goal shortly afterwards.

There was renewed purpose about Celtic and after Sergio was booked for a foul on Henrik Larsson after 51 minutes the Swede exacted his own style of revenge just 60 seconds later.

It was typical Larsson as he reacted quicker than anyone else to rise above defenders to head home after Bobo Balde nodded on a Guppy corner.

Balde did well in that instance, but so nearly blotted his copybook a few moments later when he lost possession in a dangerous area and then looked suitably grateful to Petrov for a fine block as Edu threatened.

Petrov then raced to the other end to send a decent shot wide and Hartson tested Pinto with a good volley as Celtic looked to confirm their superiority with a second.

There was more fury in the home dug-out, and indeed the crowd, as the referee ignored a blatant trip on Larsson by Juanfran but concern, too, when Silvinho moved forward for a fierce effort that flew over.

The Swede went close again five minutes later with a fine strike, but it was his goal that gives Celtic a vital lead for the trip to Spain in two weeks time.

CELTIC: Douglas, Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen, Agathe (Sylla 86), Lennon, Sutton, Petrov, Guppy (Thompson 84), Larsson, Hartson. Subs Not Used: Gould, McNamara, Fernandez, Lambert, Maloney. Booked: Sutton, Hartson. Goals: Larsson 52.

CELTA VIGO: Pinto, Silvinho, Berizzo, Sebastian Mendez, Sebastian Mendez, Sergio, Lopez (McCarthy 83), Luccin, Jose Ignacio, Juanfran, Mostovoi, Catanha (Edu 49). Subs Not Used: Cavallero, Caceres, Giovanella, Coudet, Jandro. Booked: Catanha.

Referee: C Columbo (France).