Celtic earn away draw at Maribor

Celtic have held Maribor to a 1-1 draw in Slovenia to boost their chances of Champions League qualification ahead of next week's second leg in Scotland.

After being handed a second chance to enter the group stages of the competition thanks to Legia Warsaw's expulsion, the Scots seized their opportunity early when Callum McGregor netted.

The Bhoys carved open the home side's defence thanks to Stefan Johansen, and McGregor was on hand to turn the ball home after Jo Inge Berget's effort was saved on six minutes.

However, the Slovenian side were back in it on 14 minutes when Damjan Bohar coolly slotted past Craig Gordon in the Celtic goal.

McGregor thought he had a European brace five minutes later, but his header was cleared off the line, before Gordon made an important stop to deny Maribor on 25 minutes.

The home side had the better of things after the restart, but Anthony Stokes went close for Ronny Deila's side when his shot flew just wide after a good pass from Charlie Mulgrew on 65 minutes.

Gordon stopped Ales Mertelj's 40-yard effort on 83 minutes, moments after Virgil van Dijk's fierce effort was tipped over for the visitors.