Celtic took a step closer to the UEFA Champions League group stages as they claimed a late 1-0 victory over KR Reykjavik in the first leg of their second qualifying round clash in Iceland.

Ronny Deila, in his first competitive game
since replacing Neil Lennon last month, saw
his side dominate possession and create a
number of opportunities but had to wait until
the 84th minute to break the deadlock at the
tiny KR-vollur stadium.
Callum McGregor was the man to finally end
Reykjavik’s resistance, cutting in from the
right and beating the previously impressive
Stefan Magnusson at his near post via a cruel
deflection which left the goalkeeper flat-
footed.
Celtic hit the woodwork on three separate
occasions prior to the goal, with Kris
Commons and Leigh Griffiths seeing efforts in
either half come back off the bar, while
substitute Teemu Pukki hit the outside of the
post after a fine double save from Magnusson.
Commons also failed to find the target with
two excellent opportunities early in the second
period after being set up by Anthony Stokes
on both occasions, side-footing the first over
the top from the edge of the box before seeing
a weak close-range effort easily held by
Magnusson.
Fraser Forster had very little to do other than
gathering a first-half effort from Gary Martin
and, while the slender margin of victory may
be a disappointment for Deila, Celtic are hot
favourites to progress after the second leg
next Tuesday.
With Celtic Park out of commission due to the
2014 Commonwealth Games, the return fixture
will be at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. And while
the Hoops will surely go through to the next
qualifier, Deila will know improvements are
required, particularly in front of goal, if they
are to achieve their goal of reaching the group
stages.
It was an awkward night for Celtic. The home
side had former Parkhead youth player Kjartan
Finnbogason backing English striker Martin,
but they struggled to cope with the movement
of the Parkhead men and were let off the hook
in the ninth minute when Commons, top scorer
last season with 32 goals, rattled the bar from
25 yards with a dipping volley.
Moments later, the former Nottingham Forest
and Derby player stung the palms of
Magnusson with a powerful drive from further
out but the Glasgow side were unable to
capitalise on the corner.
As the first half unfolded, Celtic remained on
top with only occasional threats from the
Icelandic champions, one of which almost bore
fruit in the 23rd minute when Martin sent in a
shot from 25 yards which drew a good save
from Hoops keeper Forster, starting his first
game since returning from World Cup duty
with England.
However, there was no doubt that Runar
Kristinsson's team were slowly growing in
confidence as Celtic's early enthusiasm
dissipated.
In the 32nd minute striker Stokes worked a
one-two with Commons at the edge of the box
but ballooned his volley high and wide,
summing up their first-half dip.
Commons, the most likely of Deila's attackers,
came close with two attempts early in the
second half, both times his shots clearing the
crossbar.
The Hoops player then had a shot from 10
yards saved by Magnusson after being set up
by Stokes as Celtic looked to be wearing down
the Icelandic side.
It seemed a matter of time before the Hoops
would get in front.
Stokes fired a 30-yard free-kick just over
before Griffiths smacked the underside of the
bar with a vicious drive from the edge of the
box which had the KR Reykjavik keeper
clawing at air.
In the 74th minute Deila introduced Pukki and
Derk Boerrigter for Stokes and Griffiths in his
bid to find a goal.
As the home side found themselves with their
backs against the wall, Pukki hit the post after
Magnusson had made a double save from
Commons and McGregor.
The visitors kept pushing for the opener and
Boerrigter was the next Hoops player to be
foiled by Magnusson before McGregor turned
past three players to fire in a low drive which
found the net to the relief of the visiting fans
and, no doubt, Deila.