Celtic cruise into Europa League group stage

Paris - Celtic cruised into the Europa League group stage on Thursday, the Scottish champions crushing Swedish club AIK 4-1 in their play-off second leg.

James Forrest opened the scoring after a one-two with Odsonne Edouard as Celtic comfortably secured their place in Friday's draw 6-1 on aggregate.

That was Forrest's seventh goal in his last eight games.

Sebastian Larsson then gave AIK a glimmer of hope from the penalty spot but a minute later Mikey Johnston had his low cross fumbled over the line by AIK keeper Oscar Linner.

Late goals from Christopher Jullien and Lewis Morgan rounded off a good night's work by Neil Lennon's side in the Solna Arena.

But Lennon was left worrying over the fitness of Kristoffer Ajer, who went off injured early to make him a major doubt for Sunday's visit to Rangers.

Celtic's arch rivals were in action later, hosting Legia Warsaw with part of their Ibrox ground closed as a punishment for racist behaviour of their fans earlier in the competition.

Celtic were not the only wide margin winners, with PSV Eindhoven progressing 7-0 on aggregate after a 4-0 win over Apollon in Cyprus.

But Northern Ireland's Linfield were knocked out on away goals after a 2-1 loss at Qarabag left them tied 4-4 with the Azerbaijan side.

Other teams marching on to the competition proper were Spain's Espanyol and FC Copenhagen.

Among the later kick-offs were Wolves, hosting Torino after a 3-2 first-leg win in Italy.

The English Premier League side are playing in their first European campaign since 1981.

Friday's draw is at 1100 GMT in Monaco.