CELTIC WILL TAKE a commanding lead back to Scotland after a 3-0 win against Northern Irish minnows Cliftonville in the first leg of their Champions League second round qualifier.
The Scottish champions looked too strong for the part-timers in the first half and Kris Commons had already hit the bar before Swedish international Mikel Lustig headed the Hoops ahead in the 24th minute.
Greek striker Georgios Samaras then doubled Celtic’s lead with a powerful strike from the edge of the box in the 31st minute.
The Belfast side improved after the break but failed to really test Celtic keeper Fraser Forster and it was the Hoops who added a third in the 84th minute when James Forrest drilled a low shot past Conor Devlin.
It means Neil Lennon’s side, who reached the last 16 of the competition last season, have a large lead to take to Celtic Park next Tuesday as they attempt to reach the third qualifying round and move closer to the lucrative group stages.
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