It's close but no cigar as Pedro's sickener leaves Celtic out of puff

Late header could leave Hoops' hopes up in smoke

- MICHAEL GANNON

WILY old boss Maurizio Sarri used to famously love puffing on the fags from the sidelines back in the days before it was frowned upon.

The Lazio gaffer looked like he was desperate for a drag at times last night as Celtic threatened to smoke the Serie A side.

The odd sneaky vape didn't cut it for Sarri as he scrambled for the B&Hs when VAR were checking that late effort for Luis Palma.

In the end it was a huge sigh of relief for the Italian. And close but no cigar for Celts yet again in the chase for the Champions League victory they've long craved at Parkhead.

A point would have been fair. Perhaps even a win.

But instead, Celtic cruelly had the wind knocked out of them once more right at the death.

It was another one of these almost nights for the Hoops. They were fearless against Lazio and it looked like the campaign was about to catch fire.

But that goal deep in stoppage time left their hopes up in smoke. And the long, long wait for a home win at this level goes on.