Champions League

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Champions League | Group Stage

Oct 22, 2013 at 7.45pm UK

Celtic
2-1
Ajax

Forrest (45'), Kayal (54')
Biton (89')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Schone (90')

Celtic squeeze past Ajax

By Paul Gorst, Reporter | 22 October 2013

Celtic squeeze past Ajax 2-1 at Celtic Park in the Champions League.

Celtic have given their Champions League progression hopes a shot in the arm with a 2-1 win over Ajax this evening.

Goals from James Forrest and Baram Kayal were enough for Neil Lennon's side at Celtic Park, and the win takes them above the visitors in Group H despite Lasse Schone pulling back a consolation goal for the Dutch side in stoppage time.

The Bhoys were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half time when Stefano Denswil brought down Anthony Stokes inside the area.

Forrest stepped up to dispatch into the corner despite Ajax stopper Jasper Cillessen going the right way.

Ajax's goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer is beaten by the penalty kick taken by Celtic's Scottish midfielder James Forrest during the UEFA Champions League Group H football match between Celtic and Ajax at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland, on October 22, 2013 © Getty Images

Lennon's side doubled their lead less than 10 minutes after the restart when Kayal converted from the edge of the box when Georgios Samaras's low-cross was not cleared properly by the visitors.

Biram Kayal of Celtic is congratulated by teammate Virgil van Dijk of Celtic after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Celtic and Ajax at Celtic Park Stadium on October 22, 2013 © Getty Images

Ajax were denied a penalty shout when Kolbeinn Sigthorsson's strike hit Virgil van Dijk, with the referee judging the ball to have not hit the defender on the arm just after the hour mark.

Nir Biton was given a straight red card late on for a challenge with his studs on show.