Celtic Quaff Euro Kool Aid As They Qualify For Second Round

But Then Suffer Euro Hangover Away To Hibs On Sunday

Celtic are through to the knockout phase of the Champions League courtesy of a world-class free-kick from Shunsuke Nakamura and a penalty save from Artur Boruc. The Japanese star curled a sweet 30-yard strike into the top corner after 80 minutes to send the Bhoys trough to the last 16 of the competition for the first time.

After the game Gordon Strachan admitted it was a relief to go through to the knock-out stages. "I can't believe it, I will have to double check in the morning just to make sure," he said. "It's just a relief that we are through to the next round and we are quite tired and emotional now. We didn't get to grips with the ball in the first half but we didn't give away too many chances." Strachan went on to praise match winner Shunsuke Nakamura. "He is as good as anyone in the world right now but to be honest this has all been down to the players," he said. Neil Lennon was ecstatic to find out that Celtic were through to the last 16 for the first time. "It is the best result of my career," he said. "Just to beat Manchester United alone is enough. I can't speak highly enough of the players. Shunsuke's free-kick was world-class, he's right up there with the best in the world for his free-kicks. This means everything to me."

At Easter Road on Sunday an 11th-minute goal from Ivan Sproule gave the home side the lead as Celtic struggled against Hibs. Gordon Strachan then brought on 19-year-old Evander Sno in place of striker Maciej Zurawski and replaced Shaun Maloney with Aiden McGeady only to see Kevin Thomson put the Leith side further ahead with a solo goal. However, it all came right for Celtic in a three-minute spell as Sno struck to start a fightback which McGeady completed with a drive from the edge of the penalty area.

Gordon Strachan has warned the rest of the SPL that Celtic will not buckle in the face of adversity. Strachan said: "We play a lot of games and it is very hard just to 'switch on'. However, you might be one up or two up, but you should never count us out. At Tynecastle last season, we were 2-0 down and came back to win 3-2 and I thought we were going to win against Hibs in the last 15 minutes."

There are concerns over the fitness of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Thomas Gravesen. Both players missed the 2-2 draw with Hibs on Sunday due to injury. The duo picked up knocks during training last week and Gordon Strachan fears he may be without the two players for a couple of weeks. "We had to change the team twice because Jan and Thomas got injured on Friday and Saturday," said Strachan. "Jan has a hamstring problem. Thomas a thigh strain. They might be out for a couple of weeks."

Celtic have been linked with a move for Leeds defender Matthew Kilgallon. The 22-year-old normally plays in the centre of defense, but he has played as a left-back in the past and has already attracted the attention of a number of English Premiership clubs. Reading had a bid of £1million for Kilgallon turned down at the start of the season. However, reports suggest that Celtic and Sheffield United lead the chase for the England under-21 international, and a figure of £2million has been mooted.