Linfield 0-2 Celtic
Celtic beat Linfield 2-0 in Belfast to take control of their Champions League qualifying tie at a rain-soaked Windsor Park.
Both goals came before half time on the back of set pieces, but Roy Carroll produced a string of impressive saves to limit the scoreline.
Celtic had near total control of the ball in the opening phases, and eventually capitalised on their dominance in the 17th minute as Scott Sinclair headed the opener.
Linfield had initially cleared a Leigh Griffiths corner, but from the right James Forrest lobbed a cross back into the box, and Sinclair planted a header into the corner of the net via a slight deflection.
5 minutes later, another Griffiths set piece resulted in a goal.
This time it was Tom Rogic who swept home a corner with a first time effort, a low left-footed drive that slammed past Roy Carroll at his near post.
The home side did soon produce a rare chance, but when a 26th minute cross was flashed towards Mark Haughey, the centre back was unable to keep his shot down.
Before the break, home goalkeeper Carroll produced two superb saves to deny Sinclair, and then Mikael Lustig saw his side-footed effort slip inches wide.
However, Linfield were likely disappointed to go in at break 2-0 down, as defending set pieces would be considered one of their strengths, regardless of opposition.
Celtic continued to dominate after the break and had the ball in the net in the first minutes of the 2nd period, but Giffiths’ shot was ruled out for offside.
The Celtic forward soon found himself booked for timewasting after delaying to take a corner kick – but objects were being thrown at him by the Linfield fans, and a glass bottle had just landed nearby.
Carroll soon produced another great save, this time to deny Stuart Armstrong from inside the box, and Mark Stafford almost put the ball beyond his own keeper after another corner.
Towards the end, Carroll pulled off another stunning save, this time denying Moussa Dembele from 20 yards to ensure it ended 2-0.