Celtic lost 3-1 to Europa League leaders Midtjylland, marking Hoops interim manager Martin O’Neill’s first defeat as a manager and a disastrous return to European football.
After a perfect start to his return to Celtic following a home league victory over Falkirk and a League Cup semi-final victory over Rangers, O’Neill was given a reality check in the Europa League.
Midtjylland ran riot in the first half against the Scottish champions, scoring three goals in eight minutes to do their damage.
Martin Erlich’s header in the 33rd minute sparked Midtjylland’s onslaught, followed just 100 seconds later by Mikel Gogolza’s superb curling effort and the dangerous Franklino Djou’s third goal in the 41st minute.
The Danes, who have won four of four in the Europa League and are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions, outscored Celtic with 23 shots in total.
In fact, Celtic had 15 shots on goal in the first half, the most goals conceded in the opening 45 minutes of a major European match since November 2012.
Celtic lost badly in the first half against Denmark.
However, Celtic struggled in the second half, with substitute Reo Hatate scoring a penalty in the 81st minute, which was converted by 19-year-old substitute Callum Osmund.
However, the teenager was stretchered off with a hamstring injury after just eight minutes, another blow for Celtic, who are already short on attacking options.
The defeat saw the Hoops drop out of the top 24 in the Europa League, with O’Neill’s side now in 27th place with four games remaining and in danger of missing out on a place in the knockout stages.
O’Neal reflects on ‘tough old nights’
Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill told Celtic TV:
“It was a tough night. We expected it to be tough, but we went 30 minutes scoreless and the game was going well. But then we conceded two goals within a minute, then three within seven minutes, so naturally the game changed.”
“In the second half we showed a lot of resilience to keep it going, the team could have been eliminated at that stage but they showed a bit of character and that was very pleasing to watch.
“I really think the emotions on Sunday, the extra time definitely played a role. We just looked a little long-legged and you would have thought we would have been tired in the second half, but it was great to see that we showed resilience.”
On Osmund’s injury: “He has torn his hamstring and has never had an injury like that before, but it’s something we have to deal with.
Celtic’s Callum Osmund is disappointed after suffering a hamstring injury
“It came at a really unlucky time for him as he was trying to break into the side and it’s really unfortunate for him, but he’ll recover with time.
“These injuries seem to be lingering now, especially for someone who’s been injured for the first time, so when he comes back you’re going to want him to be absolutely right so he doesn’t have to start over and that’s a never-ending proposition.”
Opta facts: Celtic’s away European woes continue
Celtic have not won their last 15 away games in major European competitions (D5 L10). FC Midtjylland scored three goals in the first half of a major European match for the first time. Including qualification, FC Midtjylland remains unbeaten against Celtic in Europe (W2 D1), while they are unbeaten in their last five matches against Scottish opponents (W3 D2). Celtic have not won in their last eight games against Denmark. European clubs (including qualifying – D3 L5).
