Champs league qualifiers: Demba Savage’s Helsinki beaten

Demba Savage’s HJK Helsinki lost 2-1 to Celtic in the first leg tie of Wednesday’s Champions League qualifying round three away in Finland.

Savage, who is on a four-year deal with the Finnish champions, did not find the net in 90 minutes after scoring a total of 5 goals in 17 league appearances. 

But fellow teammate Rasmus Schuller, who together with the Gambia international signed HJK from Honka this season, gave the visitors an early lead.

HJK broke the deadlock through Rasmus Schuller  just after half-time  but their efforts were not enough to take home the three points, as Hooper equaliser  and Charlie Mulgrew’s go ahead  place  Celtic, the  Scottish Premier League champions, ahead in the tie, according to bbc.

Despite the defeat, a 1-0 win next week Wednesday in Helsinki for the Finnish champions, who have a good home record, will take them through to the play-off round.

HJK beat KR 7-0 in the second qualifying round of the Champions league on July 17, 2012 at home to book a place into this level.

The sixteen times league champions of Finland who are bent on renewing their title defend are set to take on VPS  on Saturday in the Veikkausliiga, the highest league in Finland.