Celtic hit back in friendly

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Two early second-half goals witnessed Celtic recovering to earn themselves a 2-1 victory against Steaua Bucharest in their friendly game at the San Pedro Stadium in Marbella.

Stefan Nikolic gave their opponents an early lead which was cancelled out by Georgios Samaras five minutes after the break.

Moments later Mo Bangura snatched his first senior goal for the club - to take the honours for the Scottish champions ahead of their return to league action this coming weekend.

Assistant manager Johan Mjallby was in charge of proceedings in the absence of Neil Lennon but saw his side falling into arrears on thirteen minutes when Nikolici fired past Lukasz Zaluska.

Returning striker Bangura, Gary Hooper, Victor Wanyama and Joe Ledley each offered a threat as Celtic pushed for an equaliser while Adrian Popa struck the crossbar in reply.

A number of changes were made at the break and it didn't take the Hoops too long to draw level when substitute Samaras knocked in a driven cross by Scott Brown after Emilio Izaguirre had linked up with Kris Commons.

Commons was then the supplier as Bangura headed into the far corner to claim them the lead just three minutes later.

After Zaluska had reacted well from one deflected effort, Celtic substitute Lassad twice went close to extending their advantage, while there was also a welcome return to action from the bench for Anthony Stokes after five months out through injury.

Celtic: Zaluska, Matthews (Mulgrew 46), Rogne, Wilson, Izaguirre (Lassad 67), McGeouch, Wanyama (Stokes 67), Ledley
(Brown 46), Hooper (Commons 46), Watt (Samaras 46) Bangura

Goals: Samaras (50), Bangura (53)

Steaua Bucharest: Stanca, Prepelita, Szukala, Chiriches, Latovlevici, Popa, Pintilii, Bourceanu, Chipciu, Nikolici, Rusescu

Goals: Nikolici (13)

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