Cadete's late late show saves Celtic

JORGE CADETE fired Celtic into the first round of the UEFA Cup with a late winner at Parkhead last night.

The Portuguese striker struck with only two minutes to go after the Slovakian side had been reduced to 10 men with the 86th minute sending off of Karol Prazenica for his second bookable offence.

His absence gave Celtic the gap they were looking for and Cadete swept the ball home after Andreas Thom and Morten Wieghorst had linked up.

The packed crowd went wild and it did not matter that no Scottish player had been involved in the build up. Thom is German, Wieghorst is Danish and Cadete will probably be given the freedom of this corner of Glasgow.

The game seemed to be heading for extra time after Celtic's Dutch striker, Pierre van Hooydonk, missed a hat trick of chances, including a penalty after 81 minutes, when Italian midfielder Paolo Di Canio was pushed over in the box.

However, Kosice goalkeeper Norbert Juracka got down quickly to block the big striker's effort, much to the frustration of the home fans.

Celtic had plenty of possession, but their inability to break down the Kosice defence frustrated the big crowd for long periods.

Van Hooydonk missed a clear opportunity after only 17 minutes, when he was clear in front of goal after Jackie McNamara had latched on to a through ball from Thom, but somehow he managed to steer the ball wide.

Di Canio had missed Celtic's first four games because of an ankle injury, but he showed some nice touches after coming on in the 52nd minute for the ineffective Brian McLaughlin.

It was the former AC Milan player's first competitive game since his £1 million move in the summer and he was given a standing ovation by the fans.

Van Hooydonk - should have had them celebrating even more after 61 minutes, when Tosh McKinlay floated in a free kick, but the Dutchman lurking at the far post, knocked it wide when it seemed easier to score.

The Slovakians always looked threatening on the break and a poor clearance by Tommy Boyd put substitute Martin Obsitnik in the clear. However, goalkeeper Gordon Marshall stood up and made a marvellous point blank save.

Marshall had earlier blotted his copybook with a poor clearance that landed straight at the feet of Albert Rusnak, but he steered the ball wide from close range.

It seemed Celtic were heading for another half hour's work at least after the penalty miss by Van Hooydonk.

However, Cadete sent them into Friday's first round draw and the possibility of a match with one of the three English clubs - Aston Villa, Newcastle and Arsenal.

After the game, angry Kosice coach Jan Kozak rounded on Finnish referee Juha Hireiniemi. Kozak said: "We are very young and very ambitious and wanted to show the world what we could do. But we were forced to play against Celtic's players, the home crowd and a referee.

I told the referee that he and his two assistants were no good and deserved three zeros. We don't know why our player got the red card and we don't know why the penalty was given.

"We know you are all gentlemen in Scotland and you will agree with our opinion. Over both these matches we were the better team, but it is so disappointing to lose this way."

Di Canio came on in the 52nd minute for his competitive debut and Kozak could not resist a dig at the former AC Milan midfielder: "I expected Di Canio to play from the beginning so that he could get a penalty," he said.

Manager Tommy Burns said: "I am delighted with the result. They were well organised and it took time to break them down. We got a lot stronger in the last 20 minutes and we've learned a few things tonight. I am delighted for the players and the supporters."