UEFA Europa League
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC…3
(Jullien 22, McGregor 28pen, Turnbull 75)

LILLE…2
(Ikone 24, Weah 70)

DAVID Turnbull marked his European debut in the Hoops with a match-winning goal as Celtic defeated Lille 3-2 at Celtic Park. Neil Lennon’s side capped off their European campaign with an excellent performance to return to winning ways.

Christopher Jullien put Celtic in front midway through the first half but Nanitamo Ikone drew the visitors level minutes later. Callum McGregor restored Celtic’s lead shortly after from the penalty spot. Former Celtic midfielder Timo Weah equalised for Lille 20 minutes from the end, but Turnbull capped off an excellent performance with the winner 15 minutes from the end.

It was clear early on that both sides wanted the three points as they pressed each other high up the pitch from kick-off. The Celtic defence dealt well with Lille’s attempts to get in behind them and ensured the French side had no clear sight on goal early on.

Celtic’s first effort came in the 11th minute when David Turnbull’s effort from distance flew over the crossbar. The visitors had a couple of free-kicks but did not trouble Conor Hazard in the Celtic goal.

After a quarter of an hour played Celtic moved up through the gears and began asking questions of the Lille defence as they moved the ball around with purpose. Patryk Klimala tested Mike Maignan in the Lille goal when he cut in from the left and fired off a powerful shot across goal but it was straight at the French goalkeeper.

The breakthrough came in 22nd minute when Jullien met David Turnbull’s corner at the near post with a glancing header to put Celtic ahead.

The French side responded quickly and drew level two minutes later. An interception in the middle of the park saw Lille break away and Yusuf Yazici drilled the ball across goal from the left for Ikone to slide in at the near post.

Neil Lennon’s side were undeterred, however, and immediately picked up from where they left off. Jeremie Frimpong was fouled in the box just as he pulled the trigger on his shot and Celtic were awarded a penalty. McGregor gave the keeper no chance with an excellently taken spot-kick drilled low and into the corner.

Ewan Henderson came on just before the half-hour mark to replace Frimpong who appeared to have picked up a knock, and Celtic were better team for the remainder of the half, with Klimala keeping the Lille defence on their toes with his energy and willingness to chase down balls.

Lille desperately tried to draw level early in the second half and created a good chance shortly after the restart when Yusuf Yazici dribbled into the Celtic penalty area and laid the ball off to Ikone, but the Hoops defence were in position and did well to block the shot.

Ismaila Soro was excellent in the heart of the Celtic midfield and used his positioning and reading of the play to continuously break up any Lille attacks.

Henderson grew into the game as the minutes passed and was a creative spark for his side in the last third. He showed terrific footwork to evade a challenge before darting into the penalty area and cutting a pass back across goal that was intercepted.

Lille equalised with 20 minutes remaining when a headed clearance inside the Celtic box fell kindly to Timothy Weah who volleyed the ball low into the bottom corner.

However, Celtic showed their character again to regain the lead just five minutes later. Kristoffer Ajer displayed great control to dribble away from two opponents out on the right before drilling a low cross into the penalty area. Turnbull time his run well and steered his first-time shot into the far corner from just inside the box.

Hazard was called into action to make a crucial save 10 minutes from the end after Isaac Lihadji managed to run in behind the Hoops defence for a one-on-one with the Celtic keeper. The French 18-year-old didn’t connect well with his shot, but Hazard had to remain focused to save with his outstretched foot.

Both sides freshened things up in the latter stages of the second half and Lille desperately tried to grab another equaliser in the hope of topping the group, but Celtic maintained their shape and held on to defeat an on-form Lille side who have lost only once this season.

CELTIC: Hazard; Jullien, Duffy, Klimala (Ajeti 78), Soro, Turnbull (Rogic 86), Elyounoussi, Frimpong (Henderson 27), Ajer (Welsh 86), McGregor, Laxalt
Subs: Barkas, Bain, Taylor, Brown, Griffiths, Edouard, Harper
Lille: Maignan, Niasse (Bamba 71), Fonte (Botman 46), Djalo, Bradaric, Ikone (Lihadji 66), Soumare (Andre 68), Xeka, Weah (Mandava 78), David, Yazici.
Subs: Karnezis, Yilmaz, Sanches, Chevalier, Innocenti.

Website Man of the Match: David Turnbull

Celts impress in Europa League win over Lille