Leigh Griffiths made a scoring return to action but it was the young team that caught the eye as Celtic came from behind to beat Pinkafeld 6-1 in Austria today.
It took the former Hibs striker 35 minutes to rediscover his goal touch, slipping the ball home from close range from a Calvin Miller pass after Tony Ralston had opened up the Pinkafeld defence with a raking pass.
Griffiths, Ryan Christie, Jonny Hayes and captain Scott Sinclair started the match but there were nine changes at the break with only Stephen Welsh and Barry Coffey surviving the interval.
After a well earned water break midway through the first half the home side took the lead after 28 minutes.
Conor Hazard failed to collect a low 30 yard free kick with a local striker picking up on the rebound to slam the ball into the net but seven minutes later Celtic levelled through Griffiths.
Within 30 seconds of the restart Scott Robertson slipped Mikey Johnston clear on the left, the second half skipper took one touch then side footed his shot into the net from 14 yards out.
Seven minutes later Ewan Henderson increased the visitors lead with a dipping 25 yard shot that deceived the home keeper.Â
The first half had been reasonably even in terms of possession but after the break the youthful Celt’s pushed forward at every opportunity with wide-men Johnston and Karamoko Dembele stretching the home defence.
In the 77th minute Jack Aitchison timed his run well to beat the Pinkafeld defence but as his shot hit the net the local linesman raised his flag.
Six minutes later Celtic got their fourth goal when Oko Flex, returning as a substitute for Barry Coffey, timed his run perfectly to clip a shot round the keeper after a mazy run from Johnston.
With three minutes left to play Aitchison turned sharply onto a Robertson pass to shoot low across the keeper for number five with Aitchison teeing up Johnston for the sixth goal in the final minute..
FIRST HALF: Hazard; Ralston, Simunovic, Welsh, Hayes; Christie, Coffey; Oko Flex, Sinclair (c), Miller; Griffiths
SECOND HALF: Doohan; Savoury, Welsh (Miller 69), Morrison, Gutman; Coffey (Oko Flex 69), Robertson; Dembele , Henderson, Johnston (c); Aitchison