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Christopher Jullien\u2019s dramatic late header earned Celtic a deserved 2-1 win over Lazio in an absorbing Europa League clash at Parkhead.<\/p>\nChristopher Jullien\u2019s dramatic late header earned Celtic a deserved 2-1 win over Lazio in an absorbing Europa League clash at Parkhead.<\/p>\n
The Scottish champions were more than holding their own before midfielder Manuel Lazzari fired the Italian side ahead in the 39th minute following a textbook counter-attack.<\/p>\n
The Hoops\u2019 response to the setback was impressive and they leveled in the 67th minute as midfielder Ryan Christie swept in a pass from striker Odsonne Edouard.<\/p>\n
And, with a minute remaining, French defender Jullien rose to power home a Christie corner and take the hosts on to seven points at the top of Group E ahead of the return game in Rome in two weeks\u2019 time.<\/p>\n
Neil Lennon had predicted a \u201cgreat European night\u201d at Parkhead and it promised to be that in front of a full house in a state of some frenzy at kick-off.<\/p>\n
The Northern Irishman brought back Christie, who is in the middle of a two-game domestic suspension, for Tom Rogic, who started on the bench, while Hatem Elhamed replaced Jeremie Frimpong at right-back.<\/p>\n
As expected the visitors, with one eye on the Serie A game against Fiorentina at the weekend, were not at full strength.<\/p>\n
Top scorer Ciro Immobile started on the bench and Felipe Caicedo playing alongside Joaquin Correa in a two-pronged attack.<\/p>\n
Celtic, who hammered Ross County 6-0 on Saturday to return to the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership, got off to their traditional fast start but streetwise Lazio seemed prepared.<\/p>\n
The early stages were frantic and open if lacking in opportunities.<\/p>\n
In the 16th minute Christie blasted a shot from 25 yards which clipped the outside of a post and Correa\u2019s drive moments later at the other end was parried by goalkeeper Fraser Forster, with the home side clearing the danger.<\/p>\n
Celtic came close in the 38th minute when Callum McGregor\u2019s right-footed drive from 20 yards just cleared the bar.<\/p>\n
It looked like Celtic should have had a corner, but instead, to rub salt in the wounds, seconds later Lazio broke and Correa\u2019s perfectly-weighted pass found Lazzari racing into the area and from an angle he thundered the ball high past Forster at his near post.<\/p>\n
There was increasing anxiety among the home fans as the second half progressed, with Lazio remaining disciplined and resolute while retaining their threat going forward.<\/p>\n
On the hour mark Lazio got themselves in trouble with some slack play but Christie and then James Forrest failed to capitalize.<\/p>\n
Four minutes later, Celtic escaped when Correa broke into the Hoops box surrounded by three backtracking home players only to crash his shot off the base of a post.<\/p>\n
Lazio paid for that profligacy moments later as play swung again, Christie taking a pass from Edouard 14 yards out and guiding his shot past keeper Thomas Strakosha to the delight of the home support.<\/p>\n
Correa was soon replaced by Immobile, but the momentum was with the home side, although in the 78th minute Forster made a great reaction save from Lazio skipper Marco Parolo, who got on the end of a Lazzari cross, before Immobile screwed a shot from 16 yards wide.<\/p>\n
However, there was more drama to come when Jullien sent Celtic Park into raptures with a bullet header from Christie\u2019s in-swinging corner to complete a fine comeback.<\/p>\n
The hosts also had Forster to thank, though, for another fine save from from substitute Danilo Cataldi\u2019s injury-time volley.<\/p>\n