Celtic survives huge scare to reach Champions League group stage

Paris - Scottish champion Celtic withstood a furious fightback from Hapoel Be'er Sheva to reach the Champions League group stage on Tuesday despite a 2-0 defeat in Israel.

Leading 5-2 from last week's first play-off leg in Glasgow, Celtic was made to sweat in the Israeli desert with goals from Ben Sahar and Ovidiu Hoban setting up a nervy finish.

However, Brendan Rodgers' side held on to progress 5-4 on aggregate and qualify for the group stage for the first time in three seasons, with Maharan Radi's first-half penalty miss proving particularly costly for the Israeli club.