Celtic's players may have given up their win bonuses, but they held on grimly for a hard-earned victory over Croatia Zagreb at Parkhead last night.

Substitute Darren Jackson's 51st minute goal proved decisive as Celtic struggled throughout the opening half and were pinned back late in the second 45 minutes, but won regardless.

Celtic were under the cosh after just five minutes when Mario Cvitanovic's precise cross picked out Josko Jelicic whose glancing header clipped the top of the bar.

That scare signalled the pattern of the opening half, with Burley's frustration at a lack of Celtic possession embodied in a 20th minute lunge at Jelicic which secured him a booking.

The Celtic faithful were finally stirred after 26 minutes when Cvitanovic appeared to take a retaliatory kick at Larsson, but the incident passed unpunished.

After 33 minutes a brave touch-on by Simon Donnelly released Brattbakk, but, badly lacking composure, the Norwegian snatched at the opening firing well wide.

Marko Viduka delivered a fine shot on the turn after 36 minutes evading the attentions of Rieper and Gould was pleased to see the strike flash across the face of his goal.

Celtic were now struggling to contain a dangerous Croatia Zagreb team as they found themselves on the back foot on home territory, beaten by sheer quality.

Brattbakk was replaced by Jackson at the interval and the change was to pay almost instant dividends as Celtic gained a vital lead after 51 minutes.

Blinker instigated the original move, exchanging passes with Larsson before his attempted chip was clawed away by keeper Drazen Ladic.

But the Dutch winger persisted and crossed for Burley to fire a powerful half-volley blocked on the line, but not to safety - Jackson converting the loose ball in style.

Bearing in mind the first 45 minutes it was against the run of play, but with the goal the balance of power shifted in Celtic's favour as they gained attacking momentum.