Hartson the hero as Celtic go through on away goal

Celta Vigo 2

Jesuli had levelled the aggregate score following the 1-0 victory for Martin O‘Neill‘s men at Parkhead.

However, Hartson’s vital strike, an unstoppable right-footed shot, sent the teams in at the interval level on the night and, despite Celta threatening to add more than just Benni McCarthy‘s second-half goal, Celtic held on to reach the fourth round of the UEFA Cup.

The Scottish champions were bidding to make history in the Balaidos Stadium as they came face to face with the high-flying Spanish side for the second time.

Celtic had failed to stay in Europe beyond Christmas for 23 years, and they had also never before knocked out Spanish opposition.

Celtic were looking for that killer early goal and it almost come in the first minute. Henrik Larsson broke free in the box and tried to pull the ball back for strike partner John Hartson, but Fernando Gabriel Caceras made a vital interception.

Celtic’s giant defender Bobo Balde also looked determined and Edu was on the receiving end of a shuddering challenge a minute later.

The home side looked rattled and the visitors carved out another great chance in the sixth minute. Didier Agathe avoided a challenge from Juan Fran and he pulled the ball back into the path of Chris Sutton, but his shot was blocked by Eduardo Berizzo.

The home side, spurred on by their passionate supporters, took some time to get going but they gave Celtic a warning in the 10th minute.

Joos Valgaeren gave away a free-kick after a foul on Gustavo Lopez and from the resulting set-piece he teed the ball up for Benny McCarthy, but he struck his right-footed shot wide.

Lopez looked a real threat and he fired a dangerous right-footed ball across the face of goal, but his team-mates were unable to convert the chance.

The visitors needed the heroics of Robert Douglas to deny the Spaniards in the 22nd minute. McCarthy pulled the ball back into the path of Jesuli and his shot was turned around the post by the Scotland number one.

But there was little he could do to prevent Celta Vigo levelling the tie a minute later in a move almost identical to their last chance.

McCarthy pulled the ball back for his team-mate again and this time he dummied and took the ball on to give himself a better angle but his shot took a wicked deflection off Ulrik Laursen and flew past Douglas.

Valgaeren lost his cool and was booked for a bad tackle before Pinto produced a great piece of agility to return Petrov’s corner over the crossbar.

Hartson scored a vital away goal for Celtic with an unstoppable right-foot shot into the bottom corner, but he was booked moments later after a late challenge on Peter Luccin.

McCarthy gave the Spanish side a lifeline in the 53rd minute when he converted Lopez' cross at the near post to put the hosts ahead on the night.

However, the tie was still level and Celtic had the crucial away goal.

Jesuli should have levelled the scores in the 58th minute when McCarthy had pulled the ball into his path, but he missed his kick and the chance went begging.

Celtic manager O’Neill tried to steady the ship and diverted to a flat back four by replacing Hartson with Jackie McNamara.

His side, whoever, remained under the cosh and McCarthy almost got a telling touch on Lopez’s cross.