Uros Nenadovic is unable to continue after all and he is replaced with summer signing Cesar Romero, a Mexican striker born in the United States who last played for Mosta in Malta.

Alashkert's star striker, Uros Nenadovic, has blood flowing from his face after a clash with Jozo Simunovic.

It looks like the Serbian will be able to continue after some lengthy treatment.

Celtic race back up the park and, when Kieran Tierney's low cross is thumped clear for a corner, there are shouts for a penalty as Jack Hendry claims for a push as the corner is taken.

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

"The ball is fed inside Jack Hendry, he's trying to match the pace of Jefferson and takes his eye off the ball and gets into all sorts of problems.

"It was an easy enough save for Craig Gordon - Jefferson should have done better clean through on goal. Celtic off the hook."

A great chance for Alashkert as Jack Hendry hesitates as he looks to clear and Jefferson Reis steals the ball but can only send his low drive straight at goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Celtic get the game back under way and the atmosphere is now much more subdued from the home crowd.

Odsonne Edouard, who signed a permanent deal with Celtic this summer after spending last season on loan from Paris St-Germain, showed sharp reactions to stab home James Forrest's miscued volley.

The strike has silenced the sparse home crowd - free tickets even having failed to entice many of the Armenian public to the match.

Image source, SNS

Scott McDonald
Former Celtic striker on BBC Sportsound

"Even if it had remained 0-0, I don't think Brendan Rodger would've felt too much threat or been unhappy with the performance.

"In the early stages, Celtic were trying to go too direct too quickly.

"Alashkert tried to press them early doors, but you always knew they wouldn't be able to keep that up with the heat.

"Dembele had a great shot, McGregor whizzed one past the post, it was a miskick that led to the goal.

"Edouard did what all good strikers do - anticipate - and it was a good finish in the end."

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

"Big, big goal and a great finish from Edouard, but it was a peculiar goal. Forrest tried to hit it first-time and got it all wrong - it went back across goal, Edouard kept his composure and hit it first-time into the net.

"They'll be so delighted to get this goal going into half-time; it takes all the pressure off."

Celtic get their noses in front at what could be a vital time.

Just as Alashkert appeared to be gaining in confidence and starting to pose a threat, Odsonne Edouard's poachers' goal should steady any nerves the visitors might have had.

The Armenians are dangerous on the break, but the goal from Celtic's summer - and record - signing should take the heat off Brendan Rodgers' side.

Odsonne Edouard's fine pass sends fellow French striker Moussa Dembele flying into the Alashkert penalty box, but goalkeeper Ognjen Cancarevic is swiftly off his line to block the low shot with his chest.

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

"Artak Yedigaryan has pushed forward almost to a wing-back position now, that has allowed Dashyan to come on the inside a little bit more and get them an extra body in the middle of the pitch. He made a run and created an opportunity through the middle of Celtic's midfield. They've changed their formation a little bit."

Artur Yedigaryan flashes a drive a few yards over the crossbar as Celtic go through a shaky spell at the back.

Alashkert threaten with a quick break and, when Artak Dashyan finds Uros Nenadovic inside the Celtic penalty box, it needs a well-timed block from Jozo Simunovic to prevent the Serbian striker's shot threatening Craig Gordon's goal.

The ball breaks to Callum McGregor inside the Alashkert penalty box, but the Scotland midfielder's low drive flashes just wide of the far post from 16 yards.

New Alashkert signing Jefferson Reis lies prone on the turf like a grounded aeroplane after a tackle from James Forrest.

But the Brazilian soon recovers.

James Forrest flashes a drive high and wide from 20 yards, but the Celtic winger is looking threatening again after a fine season last term.

It signals a much-needed water break in the intense heat of Yerevan.

Fancy French play produces a good effort from Celtic as Olivier Ntcham's clever pass finds Moussa Dembele inside the penalty box and the striker's curling drive is turned away superbly by the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Ognjen Cancarevic.

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

"The first incident was when Dashyan got away from Simunovic - I thought he should've cut the ball back and it was a really tight angle to try and beat Craig Gordon. I think Craig Gordon was delighted he tried the shot. The second one, a player cutting in on his left foot and bending it in over the top of you - if it had been on target, Craig Gordon would have had no chance."