Camilo Duran double helps Celtic secure first victory in Europa League
Martin O’Neill’s side had looked to be heading for a seventh defeat in 11 matches.
Substitutes Callum Osmand and Camilo Duran sparked Celtic into life as the Scottish champions got off the mark in the Europa League in a 3-2 victory over Besiktas.
Martin O’Neill’s side were heading for a seventh defeat in 11 matches and bottom place when Junior Olaitan netted on the rebound after Sam Johnstone had saved his 54th-minute penalty.
But Osmand drilled home the equaliser with his first touch in the 62nd minute, seconds after coming off the bench in a triple change, and the 20-year-old set up Duran to put the hosts in front.
Besiktas sub Orkun Kokcu equalised from long range but Celtic went back in front within 60 seconds when Duran stabbed home an 87th-minute winner from six yards.
The win hands Celtic a fighting chance of progressing especially with Portuguese second-tier side Torreense as their next opponents.
The second half was as thrilling as the opening period was dull.
O’Neill had made five changes following Sunday’s defeat by Falkirk. On-loan Feyenoord right-back Jordan Lotomba came in for his first start while Celtic brought in Benjamin Nygren behind Kasper Hogh and wingers James Forrest and Sebastian Tounekti.
Nygren shot off target early on following Tounekti’s pass in a rare first-half appearance inside the Besiktas box but there was little else to shout about for Celtic fans in the first half.
The loudest cheers came at the expense of former Rangers player Vaclav Cerny, whose previous visit to Celtic Park ended with him being spoken to by police after squirting liquid at home fans while celebrating a goal.
The home fans were briefly lifted by a heavy tackle by Liam Scales on the Czech winger and then his wayward strike.
Leandro Trossard looked more dangerous on the other flank against a rusty-looking Lotomba and Besiktas were playing further forward without threatening.
Olaitan and Forrest forced the first saves at each end after the interval and Celtic gifted the Turkish side the opener.
Johnstone’s clearance hit Trossard before Lotomba put in a rash sliding challenge on Ernest Poku. The goalkeeper made an excellent stop from the penalty but the ball spun up and came down on the goal line where Olaltan knocked home the rebound.
With Tounekti and Hogh struggling to hold on to the ball, the introduction of Colby Donovan, Osmand and
Duran immediately provided a lift.
Osmand netted straight away from 22 yards and Liam Scales saw a header saved as the action increased at both ends.
Celtic went ahead in the 78th minute after Duran rounded the keeper and another sub, Haissem Hassan, forced a good stop before Kokcu’s 25-yard strike bounced in the corner.
But the hosts looked the more dangerous team and Duran scrambled home the winner after Kieran Tierney had drilled the ball towards goal.