Two goals from Leigh Griffiths helped Celtic to a 3-2 win over Malmo FF in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Play-off round, as a late goal from Jo Inge Berget swung the tie back into Malmo's favour at the death.

Griffiths' opener was followed up by a Nir Bitton header to give Celtic a 2-0 lead early on, and even when Malmo looked to be getting back into the game, making it 2-1, Griffiths was on hand to extend Celtic's lead. Berget, the scorer of the first, netted again at the death to score a second away goal for the visitors.

A superb start from Celtic

The home side raced into a 2-0 lead within just 12 minutes of kicking off, as a passionate home crowd roared them on in the early stages.

Leigh Griffiths wasted no time in getting his European campaign off to a flyer, opening the scoring after three minutes. A wonderful first time ball from Stefan Johansen was collected by him in the box, and he cooly placed the ball past 'keeper Johan Wiland.

With the celebrations having only just settled down for the first goal, Ronny Deila's side had taken advantage of their momentum to double the lead. It came from an unlikely source, as Nir Bitton rose highest from Johansen's corner-kick to head glance a header past the goalkeeper, seeing it drop into the left-hand corner.

Johansen almost turned from provided to scorer soon after, as he ran onto a pass from Griffiths, only for his effort to be blocked, missing an opportunity to put the game out of sight for the Swedes.

Paradise was bouncing at the display being put on by their side, as Celtic slowly banished memories of last years horror show at the same stage, when they were dumped out by Maribor.

Clearly eager to add to his opening goal, Griffiths was the next to go for goal, dropping the shoulder neatly to cut in from the right hand side before unleashing a low left-footed drive. Sections of the ground started celebrating as they thought it had gone in, but alas, the side netting was where it nestled.

Malmo come into the game

The tables did turn somewhat after that attempt, with Malmo coming to some sort of life and creating some chances of their own. The best did come through a slice of luck, as Virgil Van Dijk's clearance fell straight to Vladimir Rodic, however the winger's weak shot was pushed wide by Craig Gordon.

Nikola Djurdjic was the next to have a crack, but couldn't find the target as his long range effort flew both high and wide, after mistakes in the Celtic midfield presented him with comfortable space.

Despite allowing their opponents to have a couple of efforts on goal themselves, Celtic remained in command of the game up until the half-time whistle, with Scott Armstrong's curling effort coming the closest in the final minutes of the half - with it sailing just wide of the right hand post.

A crucial away goal

With the sides back underway in the second half, it looked like the game was continuing in the same vein, as the Hoops threw men forward in search of a priceless third goal, and won a corner in the process.

Malmo countered efficently down the right wing after clearing, and a cross swung towards the back post found an unmarked Jo Inge Berget, who controlled well before half-volleying back across the goal, leaving Gordon with no chance.

This time last year Berget was a Celtic player, part of the squad that suffered the aforementioned misery against Maribor, but this time he was celebrating at Celtic Park, silencing the home crowd at the same time.

Suddenly, after appearing to be in a position of control, the home side were on the backfoot, and Malmo continued to push forward, with Djurdjic forcing Gordon into a save, after spinning onto his left-foot and shooting from 20 yards out. However, Malmo's position of strength didn't last long, as Celtic restored their two goal lead on the hour mark.

Griffiths puts Celtic back in command

Another goal coming as a product of poor defending when a cross was put in from the right hand side, Griffiths got his second key goal of the night to make it 3-1.

Mikael Lustig, who had been at fault defensively for Malmo's goal, raced down the wing from right-back and crossed for Griffiths, only for Anton Tinnerholm to spoon a header up in the air, which Griffiths raced onto, looping a header over the 'keeper and into the net.

The 24-year-old wasn't awarded a chance to complete his hat-trick, subbed off around 10 minutes later for Nadir Ciftci, after he picked up a slight ankle knock.

One final twist at the death

Further injury problems went against Celtic soon after, with Lustig clutching his hamstring after going down upon attempting to overlap on the right flank. He was replaced by Efe Ambrose, and it remains to be seen how long that problem could keep him out for.

With Malmo eager not to let the tie get completely out of sight, they switched to a 5-4-1 formation, in an attempt to nulify Celtic's attacks and give them a chance of turning it around in the second leg.

Djurdjic again tried to be positive going forward for thw away side, but once again his shooting was wayward, as he lashed wide from the edge of the area.

However, the Swedish side were left delighted, when they dragged themselves right back into the tie at the death. Into the final minute of added time, Celtic failed to clear a corner, and it was that man Berget who punished his old club once again, hammering high into the corner.

The tie is now set up for an exciting climax in Sweden next Tuesday, with Celtic's slender one goal lead a difficult one to defend.