Celtic midfielder Kris Commons hails importance of Helsingborg goal

Celtic midfielder Kris Commons has admitted that his opening goal against Helsingborg on Tuesday could prove to be the most important of his career.

The Scottish champions gave themselves a superb chance of making the Champions League group stages after winning 2-0 away to Swedish side Helsingborg in the first leg of their playoff tie.

Commons told ITV: "If it helps us get through to the Champions League group stage it'll be the most important goal I've ever scored."

Georgios Samaras joined Commons on the scoresheet to take the pressure off late on, a factor that Commons believes will prove crucial for the tie.

He said: "We got off to a flying start, but we took our foot off the gas a little bit, and it took the half-time break for us to get our momentum back again."

A positive result in next week's second leg at Celtic Park will earn the Hoops a place in the group stages of Europe's premier competition for the first time in four years.