Gordon Strachan was delighted with his side's display

"They heavily watered the pitch and that made it slicker," the Celtic boss said of the artificial surface. "That was not what we practised on.

"The speed of the game caught us out for the first 20 minutes.

"They are a right good side and know how to play on it. So to handle all that was fantastic for our players."

Interview: Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley

Interview: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan

Interview: Celtic midfielder Scott Brown

Strachan rejected suggestions that Spartak were not the force they once were.

"Spartak had nine wins out of their last 12 games and they are top of the league," he said.

I thought I was offside and, because I had just had a silly booking, I didn't want to kick the ball away and be sent off Celtic midfielder Scott Brown

"This side were better than Benfica last year, better than Copenhagen, that's for sure.

"Ours is a very young side. It's six years down on average on the side from two years ago.

"There were people making their Champions League debuts and they handled it great."

Paul Hartley put Celtic ahead, while Scott Brown had a late chance to give the Scottish champions victory.

Brown was one-on-one with the goalkeeper but explained the hesitation that allowed him to recover and save.

"I thought I was offside and, because I had just had a silly booking, I didn't want to kick the ball away and be sent off," he said.

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Brown said that Celtic knew that Spartak would water the pitch in an attempt to unsettle the visitors.

"But we are pleased with the way it turned out, especially as we have scored an away goal," he said.

Hartley was delighted to score his first goal for the club since arriving from Hearts last season.

"It was a nice time to score my first goal for the club and it is a bit of a weight lifted off my shoulders," he said.

"I've had a bit of criticism since I came to the club, but that's part and parcel of playing for Celtic.

"It was a great ball from Scott McDonald and I just attacked it, but I think I had forgotten how to celebrate.

"It will be tough game in two week's time but we have managed to get that all-important goal."