Celtic suffer 3-1 defeat to Ferencvaros in Europa League opener

Celtic faced a disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to Ferencvaros in their Europa League opener, following a loss to Rangers in the League Cup. Manager Martin O'Neill had promised improvements after the Old Firm collapse, but the team struggled defensively once again. Despite a strong start, Celtic fell behind early due to an own goal from Liam Scales, who deflected Bamidele Yusuf's shot into the net after Kieran Tierney failed to clear a cross.

Celtic managed to equalise just before half-time when Mika Baur scored, but their joy was short-lived. Ferencvaros quickly regained the lead when Kristoffer Zachariassen capitalised on a defensive lapse involving Tierney and Callum McGregor. The visitors extended their advantage in the second half when Daniel Arzani scored a stunning goal, punishing Celtic for another defensive mistake. The home side struggled to create clear chances as the match progressed.

Despite late attempts to salvage a point, Celtic's efforts were thwarted, and the frustrations of the home crowd were evident as they booed at full-time. This defeat marks back-to-back losses for O'Neill's side, raising concerns ahead of their upcoming clash with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. The team has struggled to find consistency, and the pressure is mounting on O'Neill to address these issues swiftly.

O'Neill made four changes to the starting lineup from the previous match, but the alterations did not yield the desired results. Key summer signings like Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh have yet to make a significant impact in crucial games, leaving fans anxious about the team's performance. As O'Neill searches for his best starting XI, he acknowledges the urgency of the situation, especially with the international break approaching after the Rangers match.

via Sky Sports