Celtic are on course to clear their first hurdle in Champions League qualifying after beating Linfield 2-0.

Celtic are on direction to clear their first hurdle in Champions League qualifying after beating Linfield 2-0

Early desires through Scott Sinclair and Tom Rogic put the Scottish Premiership winners on top of things but Linfield labored tough to restriction the harm.

Sinclair headed in after 17 mins with Rogic speedy following that with a primary-time shot from a corner move.

the first leg changed into marred through a series of missile-throwing incidents that may deliver Uefa punishment for Linfield.

they may tour to Glasgow for the second one leg of the second qualifying round tie on Wednesday, 19 July.

Linfield can be content material having restricted Celtic to the ones two early desires, even though they may be annoyed both have been scored following corners.

The Northern Ireland double winners were largely restricted to half-probabilities but their heads did not drop and they battled gamely inside the second half of.

Celtic dominate first half

Brendan Rodgers' side, Scottish title winners for the final six seasons, dominated the early possession in opposition to Linfield, managed by way of Northern ireland's record scorer David Healy, who had a spell with Celtic's old firm competitors Rangers.

The site visitors were given the breakthrough way to a tame header by means of former Aston Villa man Sinclair.

After a corner went deep, James Forrest lobbed it into the goalmouth, where Sinclair's header deflected off Blues defender Chris Casement and the ball trundled over the road.

5 mins later, it become 2-0 way to a without a doubt rehearsed pass from a corner. Rogic broke to meet the ball from Leigh Griffiths and cracked in a first-time left-foot finish from about 10 yards.

visitors in cruise manage

Celtic regarded as if that they had masses in reserve and could have scored greater if required, although home keeper Roy Carroll and his defence deserved remarkable credit for retaining the visitors at bay in open play.

Rodgers, whose side received the Premiership through a excellent 30 factors in his first season in charge, might be happy to have that decent cushion before the return in shape at Celtic Park.

final yr, the Glasgow giants reached the profitable Champions League institution level for the primary time in 3 years.

Assuming they see off Linfield, they still face two extra hurdles if they are to make it again.

They could face Rosenborg of Norway or Republic of ireland champions Dundalk inside the 1/3 qualifying spherical, with victory placing them into the play-off spherical in August.

Linfield face Uefa sanction over missiles
 

whilst Linfield players fought hard at the pitch, the club will probably face punishment over a number a missile-throwing incidents during the suit.

As Celtic were celebrating their second goal, a projectile narrowly neglected Griffiths.

Then within the second 1/2 because the same player organized to take a corner, coins and glass rained down from a segment of the south stand.

At that level, Linfield chairman Roy McGivern went to that region, seemingly to confront the troublemakers.

however his intervention did not save you some of similarly incidents.

Linfield have been hoping to earn around £1m in prize cash, gate receipts, television revenue, advertising and vending from this healthy.

but they may face a fine, and possibly having to play behind closed doors, if disciplinary chiefs take action over the distasteful incidents.