Midtjylland Triumphs 3-1 Over Celtic: Martin O’Neill’s First Defeat as Interim Boss at Europa League Leaders
In an important Europa League clash, Celtic faced a disappointing 3-1 defeat against FC Midtjylland. This match marked a challenging return to European football for interim manager Martin O’Neill, who suffered his first loss since taking charge. Previously, O’Neill enjoyed a successful restart with victories against Falkirk and Rangers.
Match Overview
The first half proved disastrous for the Scottish champions. Midtjylland dominated with a barrage of goals, scoring three times within eight minutes. Martin Erlic opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, followed by a stunning curling shot by Mikel Gogorza just two minutes later. Franculino Dju sealed the first-half onslaught in the 41st minute.
Key Match Statistics
- Celtic conceded 23 total shots, with 15 shots in the first half alone.
- This marked the highest number of first-half shots conceded by Celtic in a major European match since November 2012.
- Midtjylland maintained their perfect streak in this Europa League campaign, achieving four wins from four matches.
- They are currently on a 12-game unbeaten run across all competitions.
Player Updates
O’Neill made two changes from the previous match against Rangers, bringing in Kieran Tierney and James Forrest. Teenage forward Callum Osmand also joined the squad as a substitute following the injury of defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Celtic attempted a comeback in the second half. Reo Hatate converted a penalty in the 81st minute after Osmand was fouled. Unfortunately, Osmand later suffered a hamstring injury, compounding Celtic’s growing injury woes.
Impact on the Standings
This loss pushed Celtic down to 27th place in the Europa League standings. With four matches remaining, the team is at risk of failing to qualify for the knockout stages.
Upcoming Fixtures for Celtic
To advance in the competition, Celtic must focus on their upcoming matches:
- November 27: Feyenoord (away)
- December 11: Roma (home)
- January 22: Bologna (away)
- January 29: Utrecht (home)
Manager’s Reflection
After the match, O’Neill expressed his disappointment but noted the team’s resilience in the second half. He acknowledged that after starting positively, the quick succession of goals shifted the momentum significantly. Regarding Osmand’s injury, O’Neill expressed concern, emphasizing the need for careful rehabilitation to avoid complications.
Celtic’s ongoing struggles in European away matches continue, as they have not won any of their last 15 games in major competitions. With a pressing need for improvement, both the players and staff will seek to regroup as they move forward in the Europa League.
