HJK win to go back to top of Finnish league
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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