Easy for Celtic's bravehearts

Blackburn 0

The Scottish champions controlled the tie after Martin O'Neill had promised a much better performance from his Celtic side in the UEFA Cup second round, second leg clash at Ewood Park. But even with a 1-0 advantage from Parkhead a fortnight ago, the Scottish champions braced themselves for an early assault from their Premiership opponents.

O'Neill was confident his side could score a vital away goal on a freezing night in Lancashire to join Liverpool in the third round of the competition.

Celtic, had over 8,000 fans spurring them on and were also boosted by the return of inspirational midfielder Stilian Petrov.

Graeme Souness was rocked by injuries to captain Garry Flitcroft and Martin Taylor. He was forced to make three changes from the side which drew with Southampton as Nils-Eric Johansson, Andy Cole and Damien Duff came in for Taylor, Flitcroft and Keith Gillespie.

Blackburn were looking to Duff to cause problems and he almost got a clear sight of goal after being found in space by Yorke in the fourth minute, but Joos Valgaeren got back well.

Celtic gave the home side a warning of their capabilities on the break later when Hartson chipped just over the bar after good build-up between Larsson and Petrov. But the visitors continued to soak up the pressure and Agathe had to make a clearance in the 14th minute to stop Duff getting on the end of Lucas Neill's dangerous cross.

The winger then brought out a good save from Douglas moments later before Celtic stunned the home side by hitting them on the break in the 15th minute.

Sutton's through-ball ran to Larsson, who coolly waited for Brad Friedel to commit himself before ruthlessly chipping him for his 21st goal of the season. The shocked home side tried to hit back quickly, but Neill's low strike was comfortably saved by Douglas.

Souness' side now knew they needed three goals to go through and David Thompson went agonisingly close to giving them some hope in the 21st minute when he fired a fierce right-footed free-kick that clipped the top of the crossbar.

The huge travelling green and white contingent clearly thought their side were already through as they taunted the home fans.

Rovers were certainly not giving up and the Scots needed Valgaeren's pace to put the ball behind for a corner after Thompson had attempted to play Cole through.

Douglas was also in the right place at the right time from the resulting set-piece as Neill got a deflection on David Dunn's strike, but the ball came straight at the keeper.

Celtic went into the second half knowing they were well in control. They looked comfortable in possession with Larsson and Hartson always a threat.

Souness had claimed on the eve of the game he saw no reason why his team could not score three goals if needed. That statement was about to be put to the test - but the odds were not in their favour on the evidence of the first half.

Souness made a switch at the break, bringing on Keith Gillespie for Curtis in the hope he could unlock the Celtic defence.

The home side were beginning to run out of time and ideas and Cole's shot from Gillespie's through ball was gathered at the second attempt by Douglas.

Souness then decided to switch things around up front bringing on Matt Jansen for the ineffective Yorke in the 64th minute.

But Celtic secured their place in the third round when Sutton put them 2-0 ahead on the night and 3-0 ahead on aggregate in the 67th minute. The former Blackburn striker peeled away and got on the end of Petrov's corner to head home at the near post.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill freshened things up in the 77th minute when he replaced the tiring Petrov with Alan Thompson.

Thompson whipped in a low cross for the home side with a minute to go, but Ulrik Larsson scrambled the ball away. Blackburn were desperate for a consolation goal, but Celtic held firm for victory.

BLACKBURN: Friedel, Curtis, Short, Johansson, Neill, Thompson, Tugay, Dunn, Duff, Yorke, Cole.

CELTIC: Douglas, Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen, Agathe, Lennon, Petrov, Sutton, Guppy, Larsson, Hartson.