• Champions League qualifying

Celtic edge towards Champions League group stage

ESPN staff
August 1, 2012
Charlie Mulgrew grabbed Celtic's second © PA Photos
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Celtic took a step closer to the Champions League group stages with a 2-1 win over Finnish side HJK Helsinki on Wednesday night, but the goal conceded leaves Neil Lennon's men with plenty to do next week in Finland.

The Hoops were made to pay for early profligacy less than two minutes into the second half when Rasmus Schuller fired the visitors ahead.

Parkhead striker Gary Hooper levelled in the 54th minute, before defender Charlie Mulgrew headed the winner seven minutes later.

Lennon will rue the moment of slackness which could ultimately end his Champions League dream, but the Parkhead boss will be heartened by the way his players reacted in adversity.

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