Teplice 1 Glasgow Celtic 0

Last updated : 03 March 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Celtic took their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup but it was not one of their more memorable European excursions.

A first-half goal from Jiri Masek meant it was an uncomfortable night for the Scottish side in the Czech Republic but the three-goal advantage from the first leg saw them through.

It was arguably Celtic's worst display of the season and, to make matters worse for Martin O'Neill, striker Chris Sutton limped off midway through the second half. He already has John Hartson and Shaun Maloney out long-term.

The kick-off was delayed for 13 minutes due to a power cut in the city and, when the match finally started, the teams had to contend with flurries of snow.

Celtic started well and looked to have things well under control. Henrik Larsson almost had an early opening when Alan Thompson beat the offside trap with his pass from the left but Tomas Postulka was off his line quickly to gather.

Thompson then tried his luck with a 35-yard free-kick, but Postulka clutched the ball under his crossbar.

Midway through the first half, a mis-hit free-kick from Thompson broke kindly to Larsson but the Swedish striker could not find a team-mate with his low cross.

With opportunities few and far between in an untidy game, Larsson tested the goalkeeper with another long-range free-kick but Postulka saved comfortably.

But Teplice came more into the game as the half wore on and scored with their first direct shot ten minutes from the break.

Stanislav Varga was wayward with a defensive header and Masek picked the ball up at the edge of the box before lashing a right-foot shot high over Robert Douglas.

Varga tried to make amends shortly before half-time, but his effort was tame and Postulka gathered easily.

Teplice took confidence from the goal and Karel Rada sent a header narrowly over seven minutes into the second half.

Douglas then misjudged a Tomas Kuchar free-kick but Celtic managed to scramble the ball away before the goalkeeper could be punished.

Larsson had a clear-cut chance when he met a Didier Agathe cross on the volley but Postulka was well positioned to save.

Postulka then made a good double-save to deny Stilian Petrov and then Larsson as Celtic finished with more authority.