HJK Helsinki ended a run of five domestic matches without a win by beating Haka 1-0 yesterday to return to the top of the table.
Second placed Inter Turku can regain top spot if they win away to KuPS today with Mariehamn looking to go a point behind HJK if they win at home to JJK.
One-time Hearts striker Juho Makela built on his midweek hat-trick against KR of Iceland with the only goal of the game just before the hour mark to beat Haka.
There was just over 3,000 fans in the Sonera Stadium to watch the match but that will change when Celtic visit the Finnish capital in less than three weeks time.
After beating Haka HJK boss Anti Muurinen said: “It was a difficult game, we didn’t play as well as we did on Tuesday against KR but it was important for us to get the points even if it wasn’t a pleasing display.”
Highlights from HJK 7-0 KR (action starts at 2 minutes)
Celtic’s next opponents are Norwich City who arrive in Glasgow on the back of a 3-2 defeat to Hertha Berlin in Austria yesterday.
Chris Hughton has the huge task of replacing Paul Lambert and is looking forward to testing his side against Neil Lennon’s men on Tuesday.
After the defeat from Hertha the former Birmingham and Newcastle boss said: “It was a very good run out but what we had was a team who are two weeks ahead of us in terms of preparations.
“They start their league campaign two weeks before us so it was a good test. We were able to make 11 changes at half-time and we wanted to get a bit of rhythm of course but I’ll wait until I get the physical data from the coaches to assess how well the boys have done (in this game).
“We have come through with no new injuries and it has been a good week for us.
“We need to take this on now for the Celtic game and approach that in the same vein, look to improve on the fitness level.”
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celtic have no worries against this team very average ……
Are you absolutely sure? Have you watched any of Celtics pre-season games? 4 games about 5 shots at goal. This team may be average but they will be fitter than Celtic and have nothing to lose. We should go through but that is no guarantee. I know it was against Ajax but Celtic would have to improve to reach anywhere near average.
A few days ago, I heard some Celtic supporters saying they thought our current team is better than Strachan’s team that did brilliantly in Europe. As much as I’d love to believe them, I think they need to cut back on the jelly and ice cream as the sugars getting to them.
Look on the bright side the team got run all over the place by Ajax and that helps bring their fitness level up. It’s best to lose and make all your mistakes in friendlies and when the real games begin the Bhoys will be ready to go for it. Although I would like to see another experienced central defender brough in as that is where the issues currently are.
Well said rather lose thease games than the ones that matter, to many people having breakdowns when we lose friendly games it’s all about fitness hail hail
I am worried after last nights shambles in Amsterdam. We were heavily beaten in Braga, followed by humiliation in Ultrecth, and worse in Sion. After each of these defeats we were assured that we had learned a lesson and it would not happen again. It is now time for the powers that be to give Neil Lennon some help with an experienced mentor at his side. Tactically we are not at the races against European opposition. I fear for our survival in Europe as we seem to learn nothing from these heavy defeats.
I agree… Celtic are average at best at the moment and looking scrappy at the back with no sign of a quality recognised centre half inbound is leaving me perplexed…. Lawell said that Celtic had a plan irrespective of what happened to the peeple across the road, sooo was it his plan to not build on our success of last season, trim the squad, let defensive cover leave and not replace them? That sounds like a pretty retarded plan to me…… I hope I’m wrong!
while it is important to remember that celtic were founded for charitible purposes it is worth noting that failure against helsinki means no european revenue and gives the fans of the team formerly known as rangers the chance to rub our noses in it
Dont worry about the Huns mate they will be keeping there heads down for a while yet, just ask hows the 3rd div. hail hail
Watched the Helsinki game last night wasn’t much in it they have a quick midfielder with good feet, no26 looks like an African international and the big CF Makela scored for them other than that it looked like a St Mirren Dunfermline game. If we can’t win this Tie perhaps we should consider packing it in like the other lot…!!!