McGregor secures first-leg lead for Celtic
Callum McGregor's 78th-minute strike handed Celtic a potentially crucial lead to take to Zenit for their UEFA Europa League second leg.
Celtic will take a 1-0 lead to Saint Petersburg in its UEFA Europa League Round of 32 tie with Zenit after Callum McGregor netted a first-leg winner.
Substitute Charly Musonda centred for McGregor to slam a finish into the top-left corner and lift the roof off Parkhead with just 12 minutes remaining and Roberto Mancini's visitors seemingly content with a hard-earned draw.
Zenit's only previous meeting with Scottish opposition had seen its dominant 2008 side defeat Rangers in the UEFA Cup final, but Celtic fared rather better than its rival 10 years on and deserved a goal long before it finally arrived.
Although a rusty Russian defence — out of competitive action for more than two months prior to the game — struggled to contain Brendan Rodgers's men from the off, the lack of a killer ball in the final third looked set to hinder the hosts until Musonda's introduction.
The Chelsea loanee turned the game and McGregor's brilliant strike earned Celtic a deserved lead ahead of the long-haul return trip.
