Celtic claim slender lead in Europa League last-32 tie against Zenit St Petersburg

Celtic have claimed a 1-0 win over Zenit St Petersburg in their Europa League last-32 first leg at Parkhead.

Callum McGregor grabbed the winner in the 78th minute, controlling Charly Musonda's cross at the back post before firing into the opposite top corner of the net.

The hosts began brightly against the Russian giants and dominated proceedings in the first half although they could only register one shot on target, McGregor firing straight at Andrey Lunev.

Zenit, meanwhile, had little possession but were more dangerous in the final third as Dorus de Vries had to make a good block to deny Anton Zabolotny from close range.

Celtic could not find a goal by the break but continued to impress in the second half as Lunev was forced to parry Eboue Kouassi's 25-yard drive just after the hour.

The home contingent's frustrations were finally put to bed with just 12 minutes left to play as substitute Musonda crossed for McGregor to control on his chest and rifle beyond Lunev to send the crowd wild.

Roberto Mancini's charges set about trying to force an equaliser in the game and the tie but the Hoops held out to take a slender lead to the Krestovsky Stadium next Thursday.

CELTIC (3-5-1-1): De Vries; Lustig, Ajer, Simunovic; Tierney, Brown, Ntcham, Forrest, Kouassi (Musonda 73'); McGregor; Dembele (Edouard 84')

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG (4-3-3): Lunev; Smolnikov, Mevlja, Mammana, Criscito; Erokhin, Maksimovic, Kuzyaev (Kranevitter 62'); Rigoni (Driussi 62'), Kokorin, Zabolotny