Celtic are on course to start their Europa League campaign in style thanks in part to another Nir Biton goal against Ajax at the Amsterdam ArenA tonight.
Kris Commons picked out the Israeli midfielder for a emphatic finish into the bottom corner just eight minutes into a tie between two Champions League drop outs.
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Although Biton has managed just four goals in 60 appearances for Celtic back in the supposedly weaker domestic competitions, he has shown that he has a real eye for goal in continental football.
This is the 23-year-old’s third goal in Europe already this season, with his previous two strikes coming in Celtic’s failed attempt to reach the group stages of the Champions League.
The Scottish Premiership champions were knocked out at the final hurdle courtesy of a 4-3 aggregate defeat to Swedish side Malmo, while Ajax fell to Rapid Wien in the previous round.
The Dutch giants responded well to going behind this evening as Viktor Fischer latched onto a delightful flick from Davy Klaassen to equalise for the hosts midway through the first half.
But Celtic regained their advantage before half time as Lustig headed home a 42nd-minute Commons corner to make it 2-1 to the visitors, who had largely been on the back foot after conceding.
It has been a miserable week so far for British clubs in Europe, with Chelsea the only winner out of the four Champions League participants and Arsenal and Manchester United suffering shock defeats.
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur also play tonight, but it could be Celtic who are flying the flag alone.
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