Aidan Nesbitt was again on target as Celtic drew 1-1 with HJK Helsinki to progress on a 6-1 aggregate to the second round of the UEFA Youth League for u-19 sides.
The outcome of the tie was never in doubt with HJK looking far from demoralised by the heavy defeat in the first leg in which Nesbitt scored a hat-trick.
Celtic were along expected lines with the bulk of the squad benefiting from regular games in the Development League.
Mark Hill had made a full recovery from the head injury that saw him substituted in Thursday’s 3-0 win over Kilmarnock at Cappielow.
On the day that he signed a new contract at the club he has been with since the age of eight Nesbitt played behind Calvin Miller with Theo Archibald on the left and Regan Hendry for support.
Despite the first leg scoreline there was little between the two sides with the Finnish champions intent on getting a win on the night despite knowing that their involvement in the competition was over after 90 minutes.
Nesbitt was having to drop deep to get involved but in the 35th minute he sent in an inviting cross for Regan Hendry but his first touch was too heavy and the chance was lost.
A few minutes later Nesbitt flashed a near post header just wide from an Aidan McIlduff cross as Celtic pushed to go in front before the interval.
On the hour mark Celtic took the lead with Nesbitt netting his fourth goal of the tie, swiveling onto a cross from Archibald to hook a shot wide of keeper Tomi Mikkelson from 10 yards out.
After going in front Celtic introduced Ciaran Lafferty, Innes Murray and Michael Johnston as they cruised through on a 6-1 aggregate with the Finn’s equalising on the night with five minutes left to play.
ln the next round Celtic will meet the winners of the tie between the Puskas Academy (Hungary) and Apoel Cyprus who play tomorrow after a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
CELTIC: McCabe, Breslin, McCart, Kelleher, McIlduff: Hill, Thomson: Hendry (Murray 76), Nesbitt (Johnston 85), Archibald (Lafferty 67); Miller
SUBS: Â Hazard, Murray, Â Payne, Higgins