Summary

  • Celtic clinch top spot after Cluj lose to Lazio in Rome

  • Stunning Johnston goal makes it 3-0 before Hunou heads in late consolation

  • Morgan had lashed Celtic ahead before Christie doubled lead

  1. Old Firm reaching new heightspublished at 22:40 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    What a night for Scotland's big two.

    Celtic, having already qualified for the last 32, have confirmed they will progress as Group E winners after another commanding display, this time at Rennes' expense.

    Before that 3-1 win at Celtic Park, Rangers had edged to the top of Group G with a battling 2-2 draw away to Feyenoord. The Ibrox side host Porto, who came from behind to beat Young Boys 2-1 in Switzerland, to ensure that all four teams have a chance of progress going into a potentially thrilling final round of fixtures.

    What a boost for Scottish football if Steven Gerrard's side can follow Neil Lennon's into the knock-out stage.

    Next up, though, it's back to Scottish Premiership business on Saturday.

    Table
    GroupImage source, BBC Sport
  2. Celtic ease aside Rennes to top grouppublished at 22:39 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    FT: Celtic 3-0 Rennes

    And you can also read Tom English's view of Celtic's win over Rennes.

    Celtic confirm top spot with Rennes win

    Celtic confirm top spot in Europa League Group E with one game to spare after a comfortable win over Rennes.

    Read More
  3. Rangers on brink of last 32published at 22:38 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    FT: Feyenoord 2-2 Rangers

    You can catch up with Scott Mullen's impressions of Rangers' draw in Rotterdam by clicking below.

    Rangers go top after Feyenoord draw

    Rangers climb top of Europa League Group G with a draw against Feyenoord but must avoid defeat by Young Boys in their final match to reach the last 32.

    Read More
  4. Lennon praise for 'specimen' Morganpublished at 22:33 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    FT: Celtic 3-1 Rennes

    Celtic manager Neil Lennon has hinted at additional firepower being purchased in the January transfer window, however for now he seems more than delighted with the manner in which his back-up goalscorer Lewis Morgan stepped up for tonight.

    Speaking to BT Sport, he says: "I've got a lot of ammo and a lot of boys to keep happy. Or to try to keep happy. And then Lewis Morgan comes in and does a fantastic job tonight for us and we knew that he was capable of that.

    "He scored a great goal and set the tempo for the rest of the team. So he can be delighted with his performance.

    "He did well tonight, but he just needs to believe in himself a little bit more, because we believe in him. Physically, he's a specimen and a great athlete with great pace and good with both feet."

    CelticImage source, SNS
  5. Tonight's resultspublished at 22:30 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    Group E

    Celtic 3-1 Rennes

    Lazio 1-0 Cluj

    Group G

    Feyenoord 2-2 Rangers

    Young Boys 1-2 Porto

  6. 'It sends out a really strong message'published at 22:28 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    FT: Celtic 3-1 Rennes

    Celtic manager Neil Lennon is delighted with how his side not only played against Rennes but also with how they have performed throughout this Europa League campaign to date.

    Speaking to BT Sport, he says: "It has been a superb campaign. We've qualified already and now we've won the group with a game to spare. The players have given me everything and more."

    Lennon was quick to lay the praise at the feet of his players, pointing out how they continue to keep focused.

    "It's great for the club," the Celtic manager says. "It's really for the players. They've broken a lot of records over the years and they're hungry to do more. We asked them about milestones before the game and whether they could not only go on and win the group and get beyond 10 points but keep a 100% record at home.

    "It's really important and sends out a really strong message."

    Celtic manager Neil LennonImage source, SNS
  7. 'Old Firm driving each other on'published at 22:26 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    Tom English
    BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

    Quote Message

    Celtic and Rangers are driving each other on. They both know they can't slip up and that creates a mental strength. Rangers have scrapped their way through, but they've won their games. There's no gap at the top. How long has it been since we've said that? They're not just two good Scottish Premiership sides, they're two good sides. You don't need to qualify it

  8. Lennon to comepublished at 22:23 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    FT: Celtic 3-1 Rennes

    We are still waiting on reaction from a no doubt delighted Neil Lennon...

  9. 'Do you believe me now? He's not for sale'published at 22:18 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    FT: Feyenoord 2-2 Rangers

    While Gerrard's ire was clear, so was his pride in a team that somehow lifted itself from the canvas at half-time. Deservedly behind to a deflected Jens Toornstra goal, a quick-fire Alfredo Morelos double turned the game on its head, only for Luis Sinisterra to salvage a draw.

    The result leaves Rangers top of Group G and they will qualify for the last 32 by avoiding defeat when Young Boys visit Glasgow in their final fixture in two weeks.

    "I think it's a fair result," Gerrard said. "Feyenoord were better in the first half, I thought we were excellent in the second."

    In the build-up to the match, Gerrard stated that Morelos would not be sold even for £50m. After the Colombian striker took his season tally to 24 goals, his manager added: "Do you believe me now? He's not for sale. He's not for sale at any price. That's what he is about. Two fantastic goals."

    Alfredo MorelosImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Alfredo Morelos has now scored 24 goals this season

  10. 'It's a blatant penalty' - Gerrardpublished at 22:16 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    FT: Feyenoord 2-2 Rangers

    Manager Steven Gerrard has asked for "an explanation" from Uefa after Rangers were denied a "blatant" penalty in their 2-2 draw away to Feyenoord earlier tonight.

    The Europa League tie was poised at 1-1 in Rotterdam when Leroy Fer challenged Alfredo Morelos in the box. Gerrard said referee Damir Skomina, who oversaw the Champions League final in June, would be "devastated" when he watches the incident back.

    "It's a blatant penalty. A blatant penalty," the Rangers boss added. "Climbing all over him, desperate defending, he crushes him to the floor. Anywhere else on the pitch, it's a foul. So it's a penalty.

    "I would like an explanation from Uefa as to why we didn't get that penalty."

    Steven GerrardImage source, SNS
  11. 'Old Firm difficult to deal with'published at 22:11 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    FT: Celtic 3-1 Rennes

    James McFadden
    Former Scotland forward on BBC Radio Scotland

    Quote Message

    Normally in the past you look at Celtic and Rangers going into domestic games and blowing teams away by playing a certain style of football, but they'd go into Europe and something would change. Nothing has changed with these two sides in Europe this year. That's about players thinking on their feet and it's very difficult to deal with that

  12. Group hugpublished at 22:10 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    FT: Celtic 3-1 Rennes

    That's not only the first time Celtic have topped a group in European competition but the first time they have gone five European group games without defeat.

    And it's 12 straight home wins since losing to Cluj in Champions League qualifying - 10 wins in a row home and away.

    The way they swatted aside a team who beat Paris St-Germain in the French Cup final in April shows how well they are progressing under Neil Lennon in his second spell as manager.

    Celtic manager Neil LennonImage source, SNS
  13. 'Celtic hit their stride'published at 22:04 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    FT: Celtic 3-1 Rennes

    Tom English
    BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

    Quote Message

    It seems like forever ago that Celtic were knocked out of the Champions League. It doesn't feel like it's the same Celtic team. This Celtic team have hit their stride. They're playing with such confidence. The back-to-back against Lazio was outstanding. To swat around a side like that tonight was excellent. Three young Scottish boys scored and none of them are a day over 24. Mikey Johnston looks brilliant, what a talented boy this kid is

  14. 'Celtic top Euro group for first time'published at 22:03 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    FT: Celtic 3-1 Rennes

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Quote Message

    A well-deserved lap of honour for Celtic in front of their appreciative fans. For the first time in a European group, Celtic top it and will be seeded for their last 32 Europa League tie in February. This with a game to spare. Neil Lennon will be able to field an experimental side in Cluj, should he wish, as Celtic’s work in the section is done after game five

  15. No wholesale changes against Cluj?published at 21:59 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    FT: Celtic 3-1 Rennes

    James McFadden
    Former Scotland forward on BBC Radio Scotland

    Quote Message

    I doubt Neil Lennon will make many changes in the last game. Bringing players in loses rhythm. I just don't see him making wholesale changes and, as a player, you never ever want a rest. Players don't want to drop out to force their way into the team and make their positions their own

  16. FULL-TIME Lazio 1-0 Clujpublished at 21:58 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    It's full-time in Rome and Lazio's 1-0 win not only secures top spot for Celtic but keeps the Italians in the hunt to progress to the last 32.

    Cluj are now four points behind Celtic but only three ahead of Lazio after Joaquin Correa's first-half strike.

    It means the Romanians will be desperate for a point to secure second spot when they entertain Celtic as Lazio head to France.

  17. FULL-TIME Celtic 3-1 Rennespublished at 21:51 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    Job done for Celtic and, with Lazio leading as they are enter stoppage time against Cluj, it looks like Celtic have won Group E.

    Ryan Morgan was a surprise choice to lead the line in place of the injured Odsonne Edouard, but the winger responded by opening the scoring.

    Ryan Christie added the second on the stroke of half-time with another clinical finish, while Mikey Johnston marked his return from injury with the best of the bunch.

    Adrien Hunou's late reply will be shrugged off as meaningless as Neil Lennon's side march imperiously into the knock-out stage.

    Celtic's Lewis Morgan celebrates with fellow scorer Mikey JohnstonImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Lewis Morgan and Mikey Johnston both scored for Celtic

  18. 'Celtic will be disappointed'published at 21:48 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    Celtic 3-1 Rennes

    Michael Stewart
    Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    That was the one thing Celtic didn't want in the late stages of the game, lose their clean sheet. They'll be very disappointed with losing the clean sheet.

  19. goal

    GOAL Celtic 3-1 Rennespublished at 88mins

    Adrian Hunou

    Rennes earn a consolation goal as Christ-Emmanuel Maouassa's near-post cross is headed clinically past goalkeeper Fraser Forster by Adrian Hunou.

    Goal - Rennes
  20. 'Striker-less result all the more impressive'published at 21:45 Greenwich Mean Time 28 November 2019

    Celtic 3-0 Rennes

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Quote Message

    A measure of how impressive a result this is for Celtic? A win over a French top-division side - their fourth straight victory in the group - has been achieved without a recognised striker for 78 minutes of the match. By which point they were 3-0 up.