Celtic have finally earned their first Europa League win under Ange Postecoglou after second half goals by Kyogo Furuhashi and David Turnbull iced a 2-0 home result over Hungary's Ferencvaros.
Celtic were feeling the heat after Group G defeats to Real Betis and Bayer Leverkusen but continued their rejuvenation under the former Socceroos boss, claiming their third straight win overall.
Japan international Furuhashi came up trumps in the 57th minute when he latched on to a searching pass from Jota and slotted past Denes Dibusz.
The Ferencvaros goalkeeper saved a penalty from Hoops captain Callum McGregor moments later before Turnbull's scrappy second from close range in the 81st minute sealed the deserved win that has rekindled their European ambitions.
Celtic travel for the return game against Ferencvaros on November 4 and after watching a well-deserved win, Postecoglou was confident.
"There is no reason why we can't (win again)," he said.
"We went to Betis and took the game to them. It is still a game that doesn't sit well with me because I thought we should have got something out of that game.
"(But) that gave us belief that we can match it against the best even away from home and tonight we felt that.
"What tonight does is gives us an opportunity to keep our hopes alive which we had to do, we had to win tonight.
"We weren't shying away from the fact that that it was imperative that we got three points - and we did that."
Postecoglou hailed the opening goal in which Furuhashi brilliantly controlled Jota's sweeping long pass and finished with his second touch.
"It was a world-class move," he said.
"They are both two talented players. We are trying to play football that will suit those kind of guys and I think they appreciate that.
"The flip side is that they have got to work hard defensively and, as I keep telling them, they will get their rewards."
The Celtic boss was also delighted with the impact of substitute Giorgos Giakoumakis, who headed wide from a good chance and came close with an ambitious overhead kick.
"He came on and really made a world of difference for us," Postecoglou said.
"We needed someone to hold the ball up and he was really strong in that final third for us.
"He had a couple of half-chances which he created himself. I think he will be a good player for us.
"We will get him fit slowly but it's good to have options."
Ferencvaros are bottom of the group and without a point after three matches.
"The better team won. It was too easy for Celtic to score the first goal," coach Peter Stoger said.
"In the three matches there have been some close moments but we have to accept a bit of quality is missing.
"But it is possible to win against Celtic in two weeks."
Australian Associated Press
