CELTIC are on the brink of securing Champions League football after they thrashed Astana 5-0 at Parkhead.
Scott Sinclair netted twice in the playoff first leg tie as Leigh Griffiths produced a masterclass for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
The Bhoys almost got off the the perfect start in the 4th minute, but Sinclair’s swiping left-footed strike flashed just wide of the left-hand post from six yards out.
Griffiths almost had the net bulging just four minutes later, but he couldn’t convert James Forrest’s cross as his header went inches wide of the bottom right corner.
They finally managed to get in front against their Kazakh opponents when Yevgeny Postnikov diverted into his own net in the 32nd minute as his efforts to clear Tom Rogic’s deft chip was in vain.
The Australian jinxed past two challenges, before getting in a shot on goal that was creeping just past the left-hand post.
Rodgers’ side were in dreamland just before the break, as Sinclair fired home a second in the 42nd minute after he latched onto a poor back pass.
He raced clear on goal before his right-footed shot crept into the bottom left corner despite Aleksandr Mokin getting a hand on the ball, as it trickled into the empty net.
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The former Manchester City man then bagged himself a brace in controversial circumstances in the 60th minute after slotting through the legs of Mokin after Griffiths played him through.
However Astana were left incensed after the referee decided not to bring the game to a halt after a clash of heads between Rogic and Yuriy Logvinenko – with both players having to be substituted straight away., with the latter being booked for the challenge.
Almost immediately after, Griffiths should have grabbed the fourth goal of the goal, but he blazed his chance high and wide over to the left from an acute angle.
A beautiful team goal!
James Forrest adds Celtic's fourth and all but books their place in the #UCL group stage. pic.twitter.com/P6c5XeGrBD
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 16, 2017
Forrest then all but secured Champions League football for the Hoops as he slotted home from a tight angle – once again played through by Griffiths.
Griffiths again proved to be influential in the fifth goal – his left-footed strike clipping Igor Shitov for another own goal.
Astana – who had their league game cancelled on the weekend by the Kazakhstani governing body, look set to be playing Europa League football this season.
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