From a showing which provided a definition for unconvincing Celtic can at least cherish their win. It was essential for qualification to the knockout round of the Europa League to remain a reality. Celtic are bereft of many things but not, at least, valuable points in Europe. For Stefan Scepovic, one of many players to toil against Astra Giurgiu, this also marked the occasion of his first Celtic goal.
“I am very happy for Stefan,” said Celtic’s manager, Ronny Deila. “He wants to perform for this club. He was very tense before the game, I could see that in him. That won’t be his last goal.” One would like to think not, for a striker who cost more than £2m.
Otherwise, there was little to cheer Deila despite his constant claims of progression. This sentiment has not been backed up by nearly enough evidence. No wonder he answered “no” when asked if he was now confident of progression from Group D. Celtic have somehow gleaned seven points from three matches.
The Europa League is a decent environment for Deila to attempt to bed in new players and fresh ideas. The Norwegian’s predecessor, Neil Lennon, once supplied proof of that. This Celtic team could and inevitably would be embarrassed in the Champions League.
Momentum is the one commodity Deila has been denied during his early months in charge so this marks a crucial phase. Astra’s visit was the first of four home matches in succession for Celtic; a run of victories would ease the criticism which has readily flown Deila’s way.
The Romanians arrived in Glasgow with their own troubles, despite having bounced Lyon from this competition at the qualifying phase. They had not claimed a Europa League point for a start and the coach, Oleg Protasov, is only nine days into the job. All manner of stories have emanated about background chaos at Astra, which rendered Deila’s assertion that they would be capable of winning the Scottish top flight somewhat worrying.
Astra did, though, open in confident fashion. A fierce drive from Seidu Yahaya forced Craig Gordon into an unorthodox save with his chest after 20 minutes. Seconds later the keeper used his feet to deny Constantin Budescu, the Astra captain. Gordon’s excellent form has provided at least one highlight of Celtic’s season.
When Budescu fed Takayuki Seto, who shot wide, murmurs of discontent were apparent. Scepovic, making a rare start, attempted to lighten the home mood but his 24th-minute shot was deflected wide.
Another home scare was to follow as Charlie Mulgrew passed the ball directly to Gabriel Enache, who dragged his effort wide. With only half an hour gone, it looked as though Astra might be left to bemoan wastefulness in front of goal.
Celtic’s best opportunity of the opening half fell to Anthony Stokes. The Republic of Ireland international should have scored from eight yards but saw his shot blocked. Scepovic, enduring an otherwise dismal period, was responsible for the set-up work.
Celtic were again ragged at the onset of the second half but should have claimed a 51st-minute lead. Scepovic seemed shocked that a Stokes cross found its way into his path. The Serbian striker duly headed wide when it looked easier to score. Scepovic missed the target again from a Mikael Lustig delivery, in offering further encouragement to the Astra defence.
With half an hour to play, the match had regressed considerably. Astra lacked their earlier attacking impetus with Celtic either laboured or wasteful on the occasions they moved forward themselves.
Gordon batted away a Budescu cross in what marked Astra’s last promising moment before Celtic’s breakthrough. Scepovic this time connected with Stokes’s free-kick to head home at the back post. Going by the law of averages, a Scepovic had to score at some point.
The Romanians’ spirit had been fatally wounded. Astra conceded again after Silviu Lung made an almighty mess of a low Aleksandar Tonev cross; Stefan Johansen was on hand to slam the rebound into the net.
The visitors’ minor consolation came from Enache, who profited from near-post opportunism even if, by the look of things, he knew little about the 81st-minute goal.
