Summary

  • Christie & McGregor score after break for rampant Celtic

  • Ajer header, Christie penalty & stunning Griffiths free kick in first half

  • Maccabi Tel-Aviv or Cluj await in third qualifying round

  • GET INVOLVED #bbcsportscot

  1. CLOSE!published at 5 mins

    Celtic 0-0 Nomme Kalju

    Celtic win the first corner of the night after good work from Ryan Christie. Leigh Griffiths swings it in and a header from Jozo Simunovic is deflected into the side-netting.

  2. 'Kalju are fit and well-organised'published at 19:50 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic 0-0 Nomme Kalju

    John Hughes
    Former Hibernian manager on Sportsound

    Quote Message

    You can see Kalju are fit and sharp and well-organised. Celtic are going to have to work hard to break them down.

  3. KICK-OFFpublished at 19:45 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic 0-0 Nomme Kalju

    Round two of what Celtic hope will be four qualifying ties is under way...

  4. More new territory for Celticpublished at 19:42 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    This is another first for Celtic, who have never played a team from Estonia before. Travelling fans will be looking forward to a few cheep beers in Tallinn next week.

    Sarajevo was Celtic's first time against a side from Bosnia & Herzegovina and that worked out well.

  5. Griffiths on the goal huntpublished at 19:39 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    Martin Dowden
    BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic Park

    Leigh Griffiths’ inclusion is a signal that Celtic intend to chase goals to make the away leg comfortable.

    It should be as Nomme Kalju’s surprise win in Macedonia last week has, in theory, handed Neil Lennon’s side an easier task.

    The Scotland international will be desperate to make an impact on his return but it has meant a change in formation with Lennon going with three at the back with Boli Bolingoli likely to be advanced on the left.

  6. Lennon wants Griffiths to rekindle 'old instincts'published at 19:36 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    Celtic manager Neil Lennon on BBC Radio Scotland: "We want more of a goal threat, and with Leigh getting up almost to full fitness, I think it’s a good opportunity to start him.

    "He’s got a bit to do in his physical conditioning but he’s been training every day for over six weeks, he’s had some competitive game time and he’s also looked good in the bounce games we’ve had behind closed doors.

    "He might do 60-70 minutes, I don’t know, but it’ll be good having him on the pitch, getting his old instincts back and smelling the game again.

    "We’ll go to a back-three, two wing-backs, three in midfield and then the two strikers."

    Leigh Griffiths and Neil LennonImage source, SNS
  7. Looking ahead...published at 19:32 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    The draw for the third round of qualifying was made on Monday, with Maccabi Tel-Aviv or Cluj waiting for Celtic should they progress.

    Those two are already up and running in the first leg in Romania and the hosts are 1-0 up after 30 minutes.

    If the Scottish champions were to suffer a shock loss, they drop into the Europa League qualifiers.

    In that scenario, they will play the winners of Shkendija of North Macedonia and Luxembourg's F91 Dudelange.

  8. Puri has faced Celtic beforepublished at 19:28 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    You might not have heard of Liliu but keen students of the Scottish game and St Mirren fans may recall Sander Puri.

    The Estonia international made his Buddies debut as a late substitute against Celtic in March 2013 but was seen just twice afterwards in a black and white shirt.

    The 30-year-old, who was also briefly at York City, has amassed 77 international caps, which is not to be sniffed at.

    Sander Puri training with his team-mates at Celtic Park last nightImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Sander Puri training with his team-mates at Celtic Park last night

  9. Kalju's boy from Brazilpublished at 19:25 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    There is always a Brazilian in these former Eastern Bloc sides and this guy sounds useful.

    Liliu - or Ellinton Antonio Costa Morais if we use his Sunday name - scored the crucial late goal last week and has eight in his last 10 outings.

    The 29-year-old, who has played in Belgium, Kuwait, Cyprus, Israel and Malta, banged in 31 goals in 30 appearances last season.

    Definitely one to watch...

  10. What's in a Nomme?published at 19:21 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    A quick lowdown on the opposition at Celtic Park...

    Nomme Kalju won their first Meistriliiga title in 2012 and they are here because they repeated the trick last season - and they did it without losing a game.

    However, all is not so rosy this term, with the team sitting fourth in the table after 20 games, 12 points adrift of leaders Flora.

    Managed by Ukrainian Roman Kozhukhovskyi, they got through the first round of qualifying by beating Shkendija on away goals - thanks to a stoppage-time winner in North Macedonia last week.

    Despite a dip in league form, they have only lost twice this season and have not lost away from home in almost two years.

    Roman KozhukhovskyiImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Roman Kozhukhovskyi takes an early seat in the Celtic Park dugout

  11. Scottish League Cup rolls onpublished at 19:18 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    We're getting towards the business end of the group phase of the League Cup and there are five more matches this evening.

    Group A

    Hearts v Stenhousemuir

    Group B

    Ross County v Forfar Athletic

    St Johnstone v Brechin City

    Group F

    Airdrieonians v Queen's Park

    Partick Thistle v Clyde

    All kick-offs at 19:45

  12. Lennon 'nowhere near' completing squadpublished at 19:15 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    Celtic completed the signing of Hatem Abd Elhamed earlier today, the Israel defender joining on a four-year deal.

    The 28-year-old is Neil Lennon's fourth summer signing and it sounds like he won't be the last.

    Asked yesterday how near he was to completing his squad, the manager said: "There's a bit of work to do yet. There's no question of that. 'Nowhere near' is the simple answer.

    "We hope to get it done as soon as possible. It's always great if you can but sometimes that's not always the case. Hopefully, if we can negotiate this tie, we'll have a couple more in the building by the time the third round comes along."

    Celtic manager Neil LennonImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Celtic manager Neil Lennon still has some summer shopping to do in the transfer market

  13. Griffiths 'owes Celtic and Lennon'published at 19:12 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    Pat Bonner
    Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    Leigh Griffiths has got to get his match fitness level up two or three notches yet, but to get him back in the team, he must be in a really, really good place. He owes the Celtic team and Neil Lennon gratitude to get him back ready playing.

    Leigh GriffithsImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Leigh Griffiths made his last Celtic start in early December

  14. 'A long and difficult road' for Griffithspublished at 19:08 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    Earlier this week, Leigh Griffiths was urging others with mental health problems "to be more open" while speaking out about his own struggles.

    "If something's on your mind say it as ultimately I could be back in the same place and I don't want to be," he said.

    "Looking at what's happening in society nowadays, a lot of people are taking their own lives and, maybe if they open up and speak up a little bit, it can saves lives.

    "It was very lonely at times and, without the help of the club, friends, family and support that I had, I wouldn't be sitting here now.

    "It has been a long and difficult road, but hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel."

  15. Griffiths 'a terrific asset'published at 19:06 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    Tom English
    BBC Scotland's chief sports writer on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    At his best, Leigh Griffiths is a terrific asset. It's fantastic to see him back

    Leigh Griffiths looks nice and relaxed ahead of his first start of 2019Image source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Leigh Griffiths looks nice and relaxed ahead of his first start of 2019

  16. Griffiths gets the green light for Celticpublished at 19:04 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    Leigh Griffiths makes his first competitive start since 5 December.

    The striker, who has been absent with injury and personal problems, got the last 10 minutes of last week's win over Sarajevo and was full of beans.

    It looks like a 3-5-2 formation, with Lewis Morgan the player dropping to the bench.

    Celtic: Bain, Ajer, Bitton, Simunovic, Bolingoli, Brown, McGregor, Christie, Forrest, Griffiths, Edouard.

    Substitutes: Gordon, Jullien, Hayes, Ntcham, Morgan, Sinclair, Johnston.

    Celtic XI
  17. Sarajevo swept aside in round onepublished at 19:01 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    There were a couple of wee wobbles, but Celtic can be satisfied with their opening round victory over FK Sarajevo.

    Neil Lennon's side won home and away for a 5-2 aggregate success, scoring a few tasty goals but conceding a couple of sloppy ones.

    Ryan Christie opened the scoring in the second leg against Sarajevo last weekImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Ryan Christie opened the scoring in the second leg against Sarajevo last week

    Callum McGregor added a second goal after Sarajevo had equalised at Celtic ParkImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Callum McGregor added a second goal after Sarajevo had equalised at Celtic Park

  18. Can Celtic conquer Kalju?published at 18:58 British Summer Time 24 July 2019

    Celtic v Nomme Kalju (19:45)

    Celtic are at the second hurdle in Champions League qualifying, with Nomme Kalju of Estonia the visitors to the east end of Glasgow for the first leg.

    It should be a straightforward task for the Scottish champions but the opposition are 20 games into their league campaign and boast a pretty handy away record, so the hosts will need to be switched on.