Celtic set up meeting with AEK Athens after surviving Rosenborg test
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ByEurosport
Updated 01/08/2018 at 22:15 GMT
Champions League second round qualifier, second-leg in Trondheim - Rosenborg 0-0 Celtic
Celtic's Odsonne Edouard (L) vies for the ball with Rosenborg's Marius Lundemo during the UEFA Champions League second round, second leg qualifying football match between Rosenborg and Celtic at the Lerkendal Stadium in Trondheim, Norway,
Image credit: Eurosport
Celtic battled to a 0-0 draw against Rosenborg in their Champions League second round qualifier to secure a meeting with AEK Athens in the third qualifying round.
The Scottish champions were never at their best in Trondheim but did enough to keep a clean sheet for a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Brendan Rodgers' side were under the cosh for large periods in the first half, but despite their dominance, the Norwegian champions were unable to convert their chances. The best opportunity fell to forward Alexander Soderlund who headed wide from point-blank range.
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Celtic's Scott Sinclair (foreground) heads for the ball with Rosenborg's Vegar Eggen Hedenstad during the UEFA Champions League second round, second leg qualifying football match between Rosenborg and Celtic at the Lerkendal Stadium in Trondheim, Norway,
Image credit: Eurosport
Celtic took a grip of the match after the restart and held on comfortably to set up a tie with AEK Athens in the third round of qualifiers, needing a win to reach the final play-off round later this month of what has become an elongated and arduous journey to join clubs from Europe's biggest leagues.
Celtic host Greek champions AEK on Tuesday at Celtic Park with the return leg in Athens a week later.
TALKING POINT Job done for pragmatic Celtic
In previous years, Celtic would have already have qualified for the group stages having won three qualifying rounds - but not this year.
UEFA's new qualifying format means the Scottish champions have to negotiate four rounds to seal a place in Europe's top competition - eight games in total.
At this stage of the season, it is a big ask for Celtic to come to the home of the Norwegian champions - who are in the middle of their league campaign - but after a nervy first half, Brendan Rodgers' side exerted their control and saw out the game, without too much trouble.
After such a rigorous qualifying journey thus far, Rodgers will be relieved he has almost a clean bill of health for the challenge of AEK Athens.
MAN OF THE MATCH Odsonne Edouard (Celtic)
The 20-year-old didn't register on the score-sheet but he did prove there is much more to his game than just goals.
The forward was an outlet as he held the ball up to take pressure off his shaky defensive line, as well as bringing other forwards into play. On a busy evening for the youngster, Edouard went close to a magical opener in the second-half before having a decent shout for a penalty turned away.
PLAYER RATINGS
- Celtic: Gordon 7, Gamboa 6, Hendry, 5 Ajer 6, Tierney 6, Brown 6, McGregor 6, Ntcham 7, Forrest 7, Sinclair 5, Edouard 8. subs: Christie 5, Rogic 5, Lustig 5.
- Rosenborg: Hansen 6, Hedenstad 6, Meling 7, Reginiussen 6, Hovland 6, Jensen 7, Trondsen 7, Lundemo 6, Bendtner 7, Soderlund 5, Helland. 7 subs: Vilhjalmsson 5, Levi 7, Botheim N/A.
KEY MOMENTS
- 17' - CLOSE! Dear me, Rosenborg almost lead in extraordinary fashion. Helland's cross from deep takes an awkward bounce in front of Gordon and the goalkeeper spills it! Thankfully, for Celtic, Hendry is on hand to scramble it clear. It's a let off.
- 35' - MISS! How has Soderlund not scored? Helland's corner delivery is beautiful - inch-perfect for the Rosenborg forward. Gordon commits but misses with his punch and somehow Soderlund heads wide of the target from point-blank range.
- 45'+2 SAVE! Pinball inside the Celtic box as the visitors fail to clear their lines. The ball is floated into Soderlund at the back post and his powerful header is goal-bound but Gordon is alert to tip it over the bar!
- 47' - CLOSE! This boy can really play. Edouard drives forward on the left side of the penalty area. Twisting and turning, a drop of the shoulder and he creates space for a shot. Trying to find the top corner, he gets slightly too much curl on the effort and it goes agonisingly wide of the far right post.
- 65' - SAVE! Rosenborg work the ball to the right side where the substitute Levi takes control. He beats Tierney for pace, cuts back onto his stronger foot and launches a venomous shot from an acute angle, forcing Gordon into a reaction save.
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