Europa League match report as Neil Lennon's side secure first place in Group E
Thursday 28 November 2019 23:15, UK
Already-qualified Celtic secured top spot in Europa League Group E as Ligue 1 side Rennes were comfortably beaten 3-1 in Glasgow.
Lewis Morgan met James Forrest's cut-back to give Neil Lennon's side the lead (21), and Ryan Christie doubled Celtic's advantage on the stroke of half-time by beating Edouard Mendy at his near post (45+1).
Substitute Mikey Johnston lashed in a third from Olivier Ntcham's pass (74), and while substitute Adrien Hunou's late header denied Celtic a clean sheet, it did little to take the gloss off a fourth straight Europa League win for the Scottish champions.
Celtic had booked their place in the round of 32 with two games remaining, and with Lazio beating Cluj in Rome, they will be seeded for the draw next month.
"What pleases me is the 100 per cent record at home and we are unbeaten away," Lennon said afterwards.
"We won all our games at home and that pleased me. It was important to keep momentum going and we played with freedom and real swagger. There was no complacency apart from the last 15 minutes which is totally understandable."
The visitors had the first sight of goal as Romain Del Castillo chopped onto his left foot to test Fraser Forster from distance, but the Celtic stopper was alert to the danger to keep out his well-struck drive. But Morgan, deployed in an unnatural position in Odsonne Edouard's absence, then produced a striker's finish to put Celtic in control.
Greg Taylor, one of four changes to the side that beat Livingston 4-0 last weekend, combined well with Forrest down the left, and Morgan read the latter's cut-back to nip in front of Joris Gnagnon to net at the near post with a sweeping finish.
The hosts might have doubled their lead moments later when Ntcham forced Mendy into a smart save low down to his right, while there was further good news as Lazio took the lead in Rome against Cluj thanks to Joaquin Correa's opener.
By now, there was a carnival atmosphere inside Celtic Park as both sets of supporters joined in doing 'The Huddle' - but it was Lennon's side who were celebrating a second on the stroke of half-time. Scott Brown found the impressive Christie on the right, and the winger cut inside to embarrass Mendy with an early low finish to his left.
Brown had been walking a tightrope during the first half after persistent fouling, and with the Celtic captain a booking away from a one-match ban, he escaped a caution after treading on Del Castillo.
The Norwegian match official Espen Eskas missed the incident but would moments later book Brown for barging late into James Lea Siliki meaning he now misses the game in Romania against Cluj next month.
Forster had been a virtual spectator for the best part of an hour, but he produced two brilliant saves to deny Rennes a foothold as first he kept out Flavien Tait's close-range effort from Sacha Boey's cross before reacting quickest to tip the rebound from Jordan Siebatcheu onto the post with his legs.
Head coach Julien Stephan elected to field a very youthful Rennes side with the average age of his defence just 21, but here they were schooled by the dominant hosts as substitute Johnston added a sublime third with 16 minutes remaining, running onto a one-two with Ntcham before finding the bottom corner via the post.
Rennes, who were already eliminated from the competition, have now lost four consecutive Europa League matches - their worst such streak in all European competitions since December 2005 - but they did score a late consolation as Hunou met Faitout Maouassa's cross at the near post to deny Celtic a clean sheet.
In the absence of Edouard, this was an opportunity for some to play their way into Lennon's first-team plans, but it was Christie's direct running and trickery that caused Rennes the most problems, especially during the opening 45 minutes.
The 24-year-old has been directly involved in four goals in five Europa League games this season (three goals, one assist).
The club voluntarily decided to close a section of the rail-seating area of Celtic Park after previous crowd incidents, but Christie ensured those in attendance were constantly on their feet.
Sky Sports' Charles Paterson
This was a strange night on a number of levels, but a hugely rewarding one for Celtic. The absence of the Green Brigade ultras - banished by the Celtic board after yet another UEFA fine - meant there was a huge green flag covering the standing section where one would have expected colour and noise.
Morgan took his chance with aplomb. His last start was against Partick Thistle in September, and he had only played twice since. Not the most natural-looking front man, his movement caused the Rennes defence palpitations.
The nightmare scenario for Celtic is what happens if Edouard gets injured; back-up is in short supply with Leigh Griffiths not yet fully fit and Vakoun Issouf Bayo out long-term. Lennon is targeting at least one new striker in January, but with a heavy workload coming up in December, Morgan has played his way into the manager's thoughts.
Rennes' ineptitude - and numerous changes - made Celtic's task much simpler, but Lennon's team have become comfortable at dictating games at this level in Europe. Finishing top of the group should ensure an easier tie in the last 32, and the enticing possibility of a deep Europa League run into the spring.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon: "I don't know how big an achievement it is but it is a landmark night, we have never done it before either in Europa League or Champions League.
"That is fantastic and what it means is we can possibly get a better draw for the last 32.
"They had some milestones to achieve tonight. Could they go beyond 10 points, could they win the group, could they win 10 games in Europe and they answered all that."
The draw for the last 32 of the Europa League takes place on Monday December 16 in Nyon, with proceedings set to start at 12pm, UK time.
Celtic travel to face Ross County in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday. Coverage starts on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event at 11am with kick-off at noon. Rennes host Saint-Etienne on the same day in Ligue 1.
