AMSTERDAM – Alejandro Bedoya (above right) and Swedish kings Helsingborg experienced a frustrating UEFA Champions League playoff-round opener at home on Tuesday, leaving themselves everything to do in the away leg with a 2-0 loss to Celtic.
The US international effectively worked the right side of midfield, but was among several Reds to spurn multiple chances on the night. Bedoya drew good saves from Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster in the 16th and 36th minutes, with a good opportunity to score from a header pushed wide in between.
Thanks to a second-minute volley from Kris Commons and an insurance tally by Georgios Samaras with 15 minutes remaining, the Hoops will head back to Parkhead next Wednesday with a sizable advantage.
Meanwhile, in English Championship play, Jonathan Spector returned to the Birmingham City lineup as the visitors fell 3-2 at Sheffield Wednesday. Will Packwood was an unused sub for the Brums.
Both Bolton's Tim Ream and Derby County's Conor Doyle went unused as Wanderers posted their first win of the season, 2-0 at the Reebok.
One level down in League One, Mike Grella scored for the second time in three Scunthorpe outings, but it wasn't enough in a 2-1 defeat to visiting Crewe Alexandra. The forward muscled his way to a cross to temporarily cancel out an early deficit in the 15th minute, and also had a fair penalty shout ignored near the break.
Around the league, Frank Simek and Carlisle suffered a 3-0 home loss to Tranmere.
