![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/2.48171182.jpg\")
Olivier Ntcham\u2019s dramatic injury-time winner against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico sent Celtic into the last 32 of the Europa League.<\/p>\nOlivier Ntcham\u2019s dramatic injury-time winner against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico sent Celtic into the last 32 of the Europa League.<\/p>\n
The Hoops arrived in Rome at the summit of Group E after beating the Italian side last month but amid a shaky start they fell behind in the seventh minute when striker Ciro Immobile volleyed in a cross from Manuel Lazzari.<\/p>\n
However, Neil Lennon\u2019s side fought back and winger James Forrest deservedly leveled in the 38th minute with a terrific finish.<\/p>\n
And in the fifth minute of added time at the end of a thrilling game, midfielder Ntcham, on for Ryan Christie, finished a counter attack to secure a 2-1 win.<\/p>\n
It was Celtic\u2019s first win in Italy in 13 attempts and kept them top of Group E with a guarantee of European football after Christmas.<\/p>\n
With two fixtures remaining Celtic have 10 points with Cluj on nine, Lazio on three and Rennes on one.<\/p>\n
This was a sporting encounter played against a background of some controversy and acrimony.<\/p>\n
The Curva Nord section of the ground was closed after Lazio\u2019s fans were found guilty of racist chanting during the 2-1 win over Rennes in October.<\/p>\n
Both Lazio and Celtic were charged for fans\u2019 \u201cillicit chants\u201d in their meeting in Glasgow, with the Scottish champions also sanctioned for \u201cillicit banners\u201d.<\/p>\n
In addition, two of the 8,000 Celtic supporters who travelled to Rome had been stabbed on Wednesday night and security was tight in and around the stadium.<\/p>\n
Jonny Hayes, Hatem Elhamed and Christie returned to the Celtic side which was set up to match Lazio but they were pinned back early before conceding.<\/p>\n
When Lazzari curled in a cross from deep, the ball skipped off the head of Hoops defender Christopher Jullien and Immobile, totally unmarked, took no time in thrashing the ball past keeper Fraser Forster.<\/p>\n
Celtic had to come out their shell and they did but in the 20th minute it took a timely tackle from defender Kris Ajer to thwart Immobile when he was left with only Forster to beat after skipping easily past Elhamed.<\/p>\n
Then, only a brilliant block by Christie prevented Immobile testing Forster with another effort.<\/p>\n
However, Celtic\u2019s foothold in the game became stronger and they went in at the interval level after a horror mistake by Francesco Acerbi, who let Mohamed Elyounoussi\u2019s pass slip under his foot and Forrest rifled in from an angle.<\/p>\n
While the travelling fans celebrated, Forster saved a header from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and then was bailed out when he flapped at the consequent corner, with Jullien clearing Felipe Caicedo\u2019s effort off the line.<\/p>\n
However, it was Lazio who appeared more grateful to hear the half-time whistle and looked no more composed after the interval as a bullish Celtic side threatened to take the lead.<\/p>\n
Lazio sent on Luis Alberto and club captain Senad Lulic for Jony and Lucas Leiva but there was little improvement.<\/p>\n
There was a Lazio penalty claim in the 66th minute when Immobile\u2019s drive appeared to be blocked by the arm of Jullien but referee Tobias Stieler took no notice.<\/p>\n
Play stretched further in the final stages. A corner from Alberto rebounded off the post before Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard failed to hit the target with a drive following a counter attack.<\/p>\n
Forster made decent saves from substitute Valon Berisha, on for Denis Vavro, and Alberto before Ntcham took a pass from Edouard and chipped keeper Thomas Strakosha for the most dramatic of endings.<\/p>\n