O'Neill: Ajax not out yet

Didier Agathe slots home Celtic's second goal

Martin O'Neill sang the praises of his Celtic side but still refused to rule out Ajax's Champions League dream after his team's magnificent 3-1 victory in the Amsterdam Arena.

The Celtic manager watched his side brush aside the former giants of European football with goals from Bobby Petta, Didier Agathe and Chris Sutton.

Ajax striker Shota Arveladze gave his side a glimmer of hope for the return leg at Parkhead in two weeks with a consolation.

But the Celtic boss is not accepting that his side are already through to the group stages for the first time in their history.

"Well obviously I'm very, very pleased indeed that we have won the game," he said.

Played brilliantly

"I thought we played very strongly and played some fantastic football and we maybe could have scored another goal or two.

"I thought that Ajax were lifted by their goal before half-time, but I thought we responded very strongly after the break.

Adriaanse: 'my team were outclassed'

"I'm delighted Chris Sutton scored the third goal. He played brilliantly tonight, but there's still some distance to go.

"I don't want to sound patronising, but they are capable of scoring goals. Nobody in that dressing-room tonight thinks we have won this tie, but I'm obviously delighted.

"This was a great performance, but it will be a very difficult game in two weeks time."

Ajax manager Co Adriaanse admitted his side were outclassed but also refused to throw in the towel.

"We were taught a lesson in football tonight and they proved they are a very good team," he said.

"But it's possible to still go through. Everything's possible in football.

"But I have to be honest and say, if they play in the style of tonight or even better and we play like we did, it's going to be very difficult mission to score three goals."