Mikey Johnston looks to finish off tie

Mikey Johnston was delighted with his goal in Celtic’s win over FK Sarajevo last week but he is now focused on the second leg and progress to the next stage of Champions League qualifying.

The Hoops won the away leg 3-1, Johnston’s excellent strike equalising after Sarajevo had opened the scoring, and further goals from Odsonne Edouard and Scott Sinclair gave the visitors a good win and an excellent chance of getting through to the second round of qualifying.

First they have the second leg back at Celtic Park and Johnston, looking back at their first competitive game of the new season, was happy with the way Neil Lennon’s side overcame the challenge.

He told the club’s website: “I think there was a bit of pressure on us when Sarajevo scored the opener, and they were pretty handy on the counter-attack. But I felt overall that we had a lot more quality over them and that showed in the second-half especially.

“The pitch was tough, it was hard to play on, but those were the conditions which were in front of us. We’re quite confident going into the second leg now. Obviously we now go to Celtic Park and that’s harder for them, so hopefully we can get it finished off.

“Getting a goal in the first game is really good and so is getting the result we needed. To win away in Europe, whatever round is a good result.” If Celtic do avoid any slip-ups in the home leg next Wednesday they look likely to face Macedonian champions Shkendija in the second round of qualifying.

The Hoops get their domestic season underway with a home match against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership on August 3. Celtic are 1.33 to win the Scottish Premiership again next season with Rangers 3.20 and Aberdeen 21.00.