Substitute Adam Idah instrumental as Celtic guarantee Champions League play-off spot

Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah played a crucial role as Celtic qualified for the play-off phase of the Champions League after a late own goal earned a deserved 1-0 win over Young Boys.

Visiting captain Loris Benito knocked the ball into his own net in the 86th minute after substitute Idah's effort was saved by goalkeeper Marvin Keller following Reo Hatate's excellent through ball.

The Cork native had only been introduced 10 minutes earlier when he replaced Kyogo, who had three first-half goals disallowed, while Arne Engels had a penalty saved as Celtic dominated the first hour against the Swiss side, who remain without a point at the foot of the table.

Celtic had to negotiate the closing stages without Daizen Maeda, who saw a yellow card upgraded to red following a VAR review after he kicked out at Mohamed Ali Camara.

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A draw would have left Celtic potentially needing a result at Villa Park next Wednesday but the late goal propelled them up to 18th place, level on 12 points with Juventus, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund above them.

A win in Birmingham next week would likely see Celtic claim one of the seeded places in the play-off round, if not a top-eight finish and direct entry to the last 16.

The late slice of luck was no less than Celtic deserved for a performance that was full of verve for 60 minutes. Midfielders Callum McGregor, Engels and Hatate dominated play and Celtic found spaces through the visiting back four right from the start.

Maeda and Nicolas