Hartson's strike proves golden for Celtic

Celta Vigo 2 Celtic 1 2-2 on agg; Celtic win on away goals

Celtic survived a testing evening in Spain to go through to the fourth round of the Uefa Cup, John Hartson scoring the vital away goal that means the Glasgow side stay in European competition beyond Christmas for the first time in 23 years.

Jesuli Mora had levelled the aggregate score for Celta Vigo following Celtic's 1-0 victory at Parkhead. But Hartson's strike, a powerful right-footed shot in the 36th minute following Chris Sutton's header, proved decisive. Despite Celta threatening to add more than just Benni McCarthy's second-half goal, Celtic hung on.

Martin O'Neill's side took the field at the Balaidos Stadium knowing they had never before knocked out Spanish opposition. Seeking to bounce back after Saturday's defeat to Rangers, Celtic made one change from the derby, Alan Thompson replacing Steve Guppy on the left with Sutton staying in midfield.

After a bright start from the visitors, Henrik Larsson and Sutton going close, they were forced back and it was no surprise when Celta took the lead in the 24th minute. McCarthy played the ball into Jesuli and his shot took a deflection off Ulrik Laursen to beat Robert Douglas.

Briefly Celtic looked rattled, Joos Valgaeren getting booked for a bad foul on the Celta goalkeeper José Pinto, but Hartson steadied the ship with his equaliser.

The Welsh striker looked to have fouled Eduardo Berizzo as he turned his marker following Sutton's nod down, but he did not hesitate and comprehensively beat Pinto with a low drive. The Celta players were incensed and surrounded the Danish referee Claus Bo-Larsen, but the goal stood.

Celta entered the second half knowing they had to score twice to stay in the competition. McCarthy gave them a lifeline in the 53rd minute when he converted Gustavo Lopez's cross at the near post to put the hosts ahead on the night.

Jesuli should have made it three in the 58th minute when McCarthy had pulled the ball into his path, but he missed his kick and Celta's best chance to save the game went begging.

Celta Vigo (4-4-2): Pinto; Cáceres, Berizzo (Jandro, 85), Méndez (Vágner, 60), Juanfran; Edu, José Ignacio, López, Luccin; McCarthy, Jesuli. Substitutes not used: Cavallero (gk), Silvinho, Giovanella, Coira, Coudet.

Celtic (3-5-2): Douglas; Balde, Laursen, Valgaeren; Agathe; Lennon (Lambert, 56), Petrov, Sutton, Thompson; Hartson (McNamara, 62), Larsson. Substitutes not used: Guppy, Gould (gk), Maloney, Fernandez, Sylla.

Referee: C Bo-Larsen (Denmark).