Source: PA
Hoops claim healthy advantage
Goals from Efrain Juarez and Georgios Samaras against Utrecht allowed Celtic to take a step closer to the group stages of the Europa League with a 2-0 victory over Utrecht
With the disappointment of their Champions League qualifying defeat to Braga still fresh in the memory, the Hoops were well aware a positive reaction was required against the Dutch side.
Juarez, who also netted against Braga at Parkhead, is clearly enjoying the European nights in front of a home crowd and bagged the opener, before Samaras added a second to put Celtic in the driving seat ahead of next week's return in Holland.
Neil Lennon`s side opened the scoring in the 19th minute, Juarez lashing the ball high into the back of the net after Samaras had cleverly dummied Beram Kayal`s pass.
Celtic were celebrating again when they doubled their advantage with 34 minutes gone. Cha Du-Ri was the supplier with a cross from the right, picking out Samaras on the corner of the six-yard box who gratefully rammed home.
A massive drop in tempo in the second half meant there was no third goal for Celtic, with the Hoops now hoping they can finish the job in Holland next week.
