Celtic ... 3 Basel ... 1 Celtic were walking a European tightrope in this remarkable Champions League qualifying match last night until, with two minutes left, Mohammed Sylla headed in a Steve Guppy cross to give them a two-goal advantage to take to the St Jakob Stadium in a fortnight.
The Swiss champions, generally recognised beforehand to be a good draw for the Scots, had proved a different proposition. Basel managed a goal after less than two minutes as Hakan Yakin prised Celtic's defence open with a shrewd pass that saw Christian Gimenez drift away from Johan Mjallby, steady himself and send an angled drive to the net.
Celtic were level, though, in another two minutes. Henrik Larsson first took on the role of playmaker as he sent Stilian Petrov scampering into the box where he was upended by Marco Zwyssig. Spanish referee Manuel Gonzalez pointed to the spot and Larsson dispatched the penalty.
Celtic, by and large, enjoyed more of the possession but there were plenty of reminders from Basel that they were not simply at Parkhead to make up the numbers. Three times in the last 20 minutes of the first half Basel launched counter-attacks.
The Swiss pressure continued in the second half with a Sébastien Barberis run and Gimenez shot and there was much relief when Chris Sutton made it 2-1 when he brilliantly redirected a Neil Lennon drive from outside the area past the goalkeeper.
After 62 minutes Celtic were awarded a second penalty when a sweeping move ended with Murat Yakin handling a Sylla cross but this time Larsson's fiercely struck kick rebounded from Zuberbuhler's outstretched leg to safety. Next up were bookings for Paul Lambert and Mario Cantaluppi after an altercation, Herve Tum replaced Julio Rossi after 67 minutes and Douglas saved brilliantly from Varela. Sylla's late goal was more than welcome
CELTIC: Douglas, Mjallby, Balde, Valgaeren, Sylla, Lennon, Lambert (McNamara 77), Petrov, Petta (Guppy 57), Sutton, Larsson. Subs Not Used: Hedman, Hartson, Fernandez, Maloney, Crainey. Booked: Lambert. Goals: Larsson 4 pen, Sutton 52, Sylla 88.
BASEL: Zuberbuhler, Barberis, Murat Yakin, Zwyssig (Quennoz 44), Duruz, Ergic (Vila Varela 60), Thimothee Atouba, Esposito, Hakan Yakin, Juilio Rossi (Tum 68), Gimenez. Subs Not Used: Rapo, Koumantarakis, Degn, Timothee Atouba. Booked: Thimothee Atouba, Vila Varela. Goals: Gimenez 2.
Referee: M Gonzalez (Spain).
- Guardian Service
