UPDATE: Celtic’s Europa League ambitions suffered a significant setback as they were soundly defeated 3-1 by FC Midtjylland at the MCH Arena in Herning on October 25, 2023. Interim manager Martin O’Neill described the match as a “tough evening” for the Scottish champions, who conceded three goals in a devastating eight-minute span during the first half.
Celtic’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages of the Europa League now hang by a thread. The Danish side, Midtjylland, capitalized on Celtic’s defensive lapses with a quick succession of goals, leaving the Hoops reeling early in the match. Martin Erlic opened the scoring, followed by a second goal from Mikel Gogorza, and a third from Franculino Dju before halftime.
O’Neill, who recently returned to the Celtic dugout after two decades, had previously celebrated a 4-0 victory over Falkirk and a thrilling win against Old Firm rivals Rangers. However, this match exposed the harsh realities of European competition. “We conceded two goals within a minute or 90 seconds of each other, and the game goes away from you very, very quickly,” O’Neill stated.
The only glimmer of hope for Celtic came late in the match when teenage substitute Callum Osmand won a penalty, which Reo Hatate successfully converted. However, Osmand’s joy was short-lived. Shortly after winning the penalty, he suffered a hamstring injury and was seen leaving the field in tears, a heartbreaking moment that underscored the night’s struggles for the Hoops.
O’Neill addressed Osmand’s injury, stating, “Oh, he was distraught… it’s never happened to him before, so he doesn’t know.” He reassured the young player, emphasizing that “this is just a setback for you. But it’s not terminal, in that sense, and you can fight back.”
With only four points from four fixtures, Celtic’s path forward looks challenging. O’Neill reflected on the evening’s harsh lessons, saying, “That’s a big lesson for us tonight, to know what it takes to be a really decent European team.”
As Celtic fans grapple with this disappointing result, the focus shifts to their next match, where they will need to rally and regroup to stay in contention. The urgency is palpable as supporters await how the team will respond in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned for further updates on Celtic’s Europa League campaign as the situation develops.
