CELTIC boss Martin O'Neill's gamble of throwing on striker John Hartson paid off and he admitted: "It was a big goal for us after a tough game, but all credit to the players - they kept going.

"I would have probably taken that before this game and I will now.

"It's always a danger when you make a substitution as it can unsettle the players. It was a gamble and we went with it and in the end it worked. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't."

The Wales striker rose to meet Alan Thompson's corner five minutes from time and although it was stopped on the line by David Thompson, Henrik Larsson netted the rebound.

That gave the home side a crucial advantage with a precious clean sheet and O'Neill added: "I thought we did fantastically well eventually to win the game.

"Its difficult to get used to the pace of the game, there is composed play in the Premiership.

"Blackburn are a very good side and playing well at the moment. They passed the ball brilliantly and passed it through us for fun in a 15-20 minute spell in the first half.

"It took us a little bit of time to get used to it. We were a wee bit nervous and tentative and there was no need to be.

"We relaxed a little bit in the second half and had the crowd behind us and did splendidly to win.

"We rode our luck a little bit just before half-time when we were a bit nervous, but I said to throw off the shackles in the second half and just go for it and try and win the match - and that is exactly what we did. We wanted to try and win the game," said O'Neill.

"I'm sure they think that they played very well in the match, but we can learn from this and we will play better in the second leg.

"They have beaten Arsenal and are a point off third in the Premiership and are playing as well as anybody down there.

"But in the end I think we probably deserved it."

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