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Celtic’s best performance of the season counts for little in the context of a competition from which they had already been eliminated. However, this victory over Lille could provide much-needed momentum for a national campaign that has staggered to a critical point for Neil Lennon. Lille, who had already qualified for the knockout phase, had to settle for Milan to win Group H as Celtic claimed a hugely entertaining match for the rare goal in five.
Lennon, predictably, made wholesale changes to his team. Conor Hazard, the 22-year-old Northern Irishman, made his debut in goal while Ismaila Soro, David Turnbull, Patryk Klimala and the maligned Shane Duffy started.
After a docile start to the process, Klimala stung Mike Maignan’s palms with a ferocious shot from 19 yards. This set the tone for a manic seven-minute spell in which Celtic took the lead, conceded it, and then went ahead via a Callum McGregor penalty.
Christopher Jullien opened the scoring with a header from Turnbull’s superb corner. Not ninety seconds passed between Lille’s launch and Hazard getting the ball out of their net. McGregor carelessly lost possession, with a back cross from Yusuf Yazici that Jonathan Ikoné returned home.
In what was to test the final act of Jeremie Frimpong’s match, the former Manchester City player won a penalty despite apparently kicking Domagoj Bradaric instead of the ball. Not that the Lille protests were particularly vehement. When Frimpong limped away, McGregor atoned for his earlier mistake by positioning himself in Maignan’s lower left corner. During this period where comfort crumbs are necessary and defensive mistakes are an ominous constant, Lennon could perk up by hitting the interval at 2-1.
McGregor was thrown into the limelight once again after deflecting Cheikh Niasse’s volley towards his own post. That attack in the 62nd minute was the first of significance for Lille in the second period, as it emphasized how hard the hosts were playing. Lille entered this tie having lost only once in all competitions throughout the season.
The ghosts of past matches would soon haunt Celtic. Duffy was only able to partially clear a Yazici’s free kick with Timothy Weah, once loaned out by Celtic, fumble past Hazard.
Celtic’s response secured a memorable European debut for Turnbull. The midfielder, still recovering from a serious knee injury, moved forward to receive a cross from Kristoffer Ajer. Turnbull’s ending and the overall game served as sharp reminders of his talent. Celtic have reacquainted themselves with winning.
