MALMO’s bid to reach the group stages of the Champions League was described as “Mission Impossible” in the build-up to the first leg of the play-off after some bullish comments from Celtic manager Ronny Deila.
But the Scottish champions’ occasional propensity to self-destruct resurfaced in another memorable European night at Parkhead to give their opponents hope they can progress to the next stage of this competition at their expense.

A second goal on the night from Jo Inge Berget, who spent an unsuccessful spell on loan at Celtic last season, in the fifth minute of injury-time made the scoreline 3-2 and changed the complexion of the double header hugely.

Having led both 2-0 and 3-1 it was a bitterly disappointing finale for a group of players who will now have to produce another exceptional display away from home in the Swedbank Stadion next Tuesday night in order to go through.

To be fair to Deila, who is not one for making extravagant claims about what his charges can and cannot do, he only stated it would be “not possible” for his side to lose if they performed to the best of their ability. They certainly did that for long spells.

That had not been the case in the first leg of the third qualifying round against Qarabag when several of his key performers, most notably captain Scott Brown, failed to deliver. But Stuart Armstrong, Nir Bitton, Brown, Stefan Johansen and Leigh Griffiths in particular all excelled for long periods.

Deila had sprung a major surprise before kick-off when he named Griffiths in his starting line-up ahead of Nadir Ciftci. It was the first time the Scotland internationalist had been preferred to his Turkish counterpart in Europe this season.

Most observers had expected Ciftci, despite his lack of domestic action, to get the nod to play as the lone striker in the 4-2-3-1 formation his manager favours given his ability to hold the ball up and bring those around him into play. However, the former Dundee United player found himself on the bench alongside a few other hopeful starters, Kris Commons, Charlie Mulgrew and Gary Mackay-Steven.

Deila’s decision to field Griffiths, though, was more than vindicated. Celtic took the lead through the forward in just the third minute following a well-worked attacking move. Armstrong burst forward before cutting inside and feeding Johansen.

The Norwegian both timed and weighted his pass to perfection and his diminutive team mate showed great composure to slot past Malmo keeper Johan Wiland and send the home supporters crammed inside the Glasgow stadium wild.

Armstrong and Johansen both had a hand in their side’s second goal just seven minutes later. The former won a corner kick and the latter stepped up and delivered a penetrating cross into the six yard box. Bitton rose above Rasmus Bengtsson and turned a downward header beyond Wiland.

Johansen should have added to his side’s tally – and in the process possibly have killed off the tie –shortly after that in the wake of some good build-up play from Emilio Izaguirre and Griffiths. But his shot was poor and was easily blocked. The Malmo players looked shellshocked by the early onslaught by that point and there seemed to be no prospect of the Scandinavians hauling themselves back into the fixture. But, as has so often been the case, their own failings and slackness allowed their opponents to haul their way back into the game.

Izaguirre was caught out of position – for the umpteenth occasion in a major European fixture – in the 19th minute and Malmo full-back Anton Tinnerholm was able to advance into the Celtic penalty area unopposed. He failed to supply a team mate and the danger was cleared. But it gave a taste of what was to come.

Vladimir Rodic had a fierce shot palmed clear by Craig Gordon immediately after that scare and Malmo came into the game increasingly as their rivals sat deeper and deeper in an attempt to protect their lead.
When Berget, whose stint at Celtic last season was hardly distinguished, netted in the 52nd minute it was very much with the run of play. The attacker’s finish was sensational, left Gordon clutching at air and silenced a crowd which had grown decidedly anxious as their side fell out of the game.

The setback sparked Celtic into life. Mikael Lustig whipped a cross into the Malmo box and the weary Tinnerholm made a half-hearted attempt to clear it. Griffiths pounced and his header arched over Wiland and into the net off the inside of the post for what could prove to be a crucial goal.

The intense nature of the contest resulted in several full-blooded challenges being made by both teams. Lustig was stretchered off to warm applause from his own supporters towards the end of a captivating contest. The defender will be a huge loss to his side if he is unavailable for the second leg of the play-off against his countrymen.

Efe Ambrose came on for Lustig, Gary Mackay-Steven replaced Armstrong and Nadir Ciftci came on for Griffiths. The prolific forward received a standing ovation from the Celtic fans as he left the field after making a point to his manager and those who may have doubted he could score in continental as well as domestic competition. 

It is inconceivable he will be left out of the starting line-up in Sweden next week if he is fit.
Berget, too, will almost certainly be in the Malmo team if he is available. He fired into the roof of the net at the death after Celtic failed to deal with a Tobias Sana corner and set up what promises to another enthralling encounter between these two teams.