Celtic 2-2 Fenerbahçe
- Published
Celtic threw away a two-goal lead as they earned their second draw in the Europa League against Fenerbahce.
The home side were commanding in the first half and led through Leigh Griffiths and Kris Commons strikes.
Efe Ambrose committed the kind of calamity that has dogged him this season as he gifted a goal just before half-time, Brazilian Fernandao netting.
The visitors took advantage of their lifeline when Fernandao got his second to equalise after the break.
Ronny Deila's side move on to two points, having drawn by the same scoreline against Ajax in the opening round of fixtures.
The Dutch side also have two points after drawing 1-1 with group leaders Molde, who beat Fenerbahce two weeks ago.
Bright start for Celtic
Organisation allowed Celtic to impose themselves. The team was so well structured in the opening exchanges that Fenerbahce were denied the space and time to yield their rhythm or poise.
Celtic did not constrain their own enterprise, though, and James Forrest looked so lively and full of meaning intent that he himself seemed impossible to quell.
The consequence was the home side being compact without the ball and spirited with it, a combination that diminished Fenerbahce and left the visitors' manager Vitor Pereira torn by anger and disdain on the touchline.
Deila's men were consumed by their own sense of adventure.
Griffiths could not be denied when Mikael Lustig's head-flick from Commons' corner arrived at his feet at the back post. His first effort was brilliantly saved by Fabiano but Griffiths lashed the rebound high into the net.
Celtic Park was alive with promise and three minutes later Nir Bitton spun away from Ozan Tufan in his own half, surged upfield and fed Forrest, whose cross was converted with ruthless expertise by Commons.
With Scott Brown commanding in midfield, Celtic looked imperious, while the visitors were diminished.
Fenerbahce fight back
Good fortune was their only ally and there was a familiar sense of frustration for the home fans as Ambrose's mistake - a weak back header - gifted a chance to substitute Fernandao, who tucked the ball past Craig Gordon.
The goal came only minutes before half-time but its influence was prolonged.
Fenerbahce were still enthused after the break and, three minutes into the second half, Nani slung over a corner that Fernandao headed strongly into the net.
The powerful striker, who had replaced Volkan Sen in the first half, might have scored a third but clumsily over-hit his chip and sent it over.
Craig Gordon had to be alert, even if the visitors were far from goal, since Nani and the excellent Diego both struck efforts on target from long range that the Celtic goalkeeper had to push away, the latter's effort with his leg.
The pressure was sustained, but also limited, and Celtic grew back into contention, not least with Brown returning to prominence again.
Forrest curled an effort on target and Commons spun and shot with improbable agility and technique but Fabiano stopped both shots.
Man of the match
Scott Brown played a captain's role in Celtic's performance, driving the team forward in many of their best attacking moments.
The midfielder's display was his best so far this season.
The stats you need to know
This was Celtic's first encounter with Turkish opponents
No Turkish club has won a Uefa competition game in Scotland in eight attempts (D6 L2)
Fenerbahce had won all six of their previous Europa League group stage away fixtures - five of them 1-0
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