The controversial Englishman blew away his frustration at being suspended for the first five league games of the domestic season with the goal which assured the Bhoys of their place among Europe’s elite and alongside Scottish champions Rangers in tomorrow’s draw in Monaco.

But even though the game inevitably failed to set the pulses racing – after the comprehensive victory in Budapest a fortnight ago – the return of Hartson after four months out would also have given the Celtic boss great attacking options going into those vital group matches.

The home supporters were so confident of avoiding such an embarrassment that many opted to stay away and save money for the mouth-watering encounters which lied in wait.

But O’Neill picked a strong team despite making five changes from the the side which won unconvincingly at Partick on Saturday.

Magnus Hedman got his chance to claim the number one jersey and the rest of the Celtic players were still looking to put on a show for those who had paid out.

Sutton was looking to make the most of a half chance in the fifth minute when he got on the end of a trademark Alan Thompson cross, but flicked his outstretched volley wide.

More slack defending by the visitors almost gifted Stilian Petrov with another goal against them three minutes later after standing off, but his low shot from seven yards out was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Vegh Zoltn.

The first great chance fell to Sutton in the 10th minute when Thompson whipped in another cross, but the striker failed to hit the target with his header from close range.

Sutton, however, made amends with his head just three minutes later from a more difficult chance.

The hungry frontman pulled away from his marker and steered Didier Agathe’s cross past the despairing dive of Zoltn and into the bottom corner from eight yards.

Thompson again looked on top of his game as he charged past a number of challenges and clipped the ball back from the byline in the 27th minute.

Henrik Larsson would have been favourite to convert the chance had he not lost his footing which gave Juhsz Roland the chance to head clear.

Youngster Liam Miller also showed some great touches and his cross and the build up in the 37th minute deserved a goal.

But fortunately for the Hungaria players, Halmai Gabor sliced his clearance across goal and away from the waiting Celtic stars.

Miller almost deservedly weighed in with a goal of his own, three minutes before the interval, when he exchanged passes with Larsson inside the box, only for his shot to be kept out by the feet of Zoltn in the Hungaria goal.

O’Neill knew the tie was dead and buried, and decided to rest Bobo Balde and Petrov by bringing on the fresh legs of youngster John Kennedy and forgotten man Bobby Petta.

Hungaria’s one chance of glory fell to Torghelle Sandor just three minutes after the restart, but he sliced his right-foot shot wide of Hedman’s left post from nine yards.

It seemed only a matter of time before Larsson got his name on the scoresheet, but Zoltn did well to save his powerful free-kick from just outside the box two minutes later.

O’Neill could even afford to take off the Swede, who has 31 European goals, in the 58th minute and bring on Hartson for his first appearance since the win at Rangers in April.

The Welsh international was given a hero’s welcome by the Celtic supporters, but he should have hit the target in the 63rd minute with his first sight of goal.

Sutton’s persistence almost paid off as he won a challenge before threading the ball through to Hartson, but he wildly sliced the shot wide.

Sutton was inches from doubling his tally in the 64th minute when Hartson knocked the ball down into his path, but he prodded the ball past both the onrushing keeper and the upright.

Celtic are now guaranteed a further £10million in revenue from the group stages which might have to stay in the bank as the transfer deadline rapidly approaches.

But with Sutton and Hartson on their way back to first-team duty that might not be as problematic as many feared.