Celtic suffer third straight Europa League defeat, losing to Celta Vigo

Celtic faced another setback in their Europa League campaign, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo. The loss marked their third consecutive defeat in the competition, leaving them without any points in the group stage. Despite a strong domestic performance with a recent 7-1 victory against Hearts, Celtic struggled to translate that form into their European matches, highlighting their ongoing difficulties at this level.

The match began with Celtic taking the lead shortly after half-time when Mika Baur capitalised on a deflected cross from Haissem Hassan. However, their advantage was short-lived as Celta Vigo responded with two quick goals from Javi Rodriguez. The first was a header from a free-kick, followed by a powerful strike from outside the box just minutes later, turning the tide in favour of the Spanish side.

Celtic had their share of chances, including a shot from Liam Scales that hit the crossbar, but they were unable to convert these opportunities into goals. The home side's inability to defend set pieces proved costly, as they conceded the equaliser and then the decisive second goal in quick succession. This failure to maintain their lead left Celtic searching for answers in a frustrating night at Celtic Park.

Manager Martin O'Neill expressed disappointment after the match, noting that the team had the potential to win but failed to capitalise on their chances. He acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in defending set pieces, and emphasised that there are still points to play for in the competition. However, the mounting pressure from consecutive losses raises concerns about their chances of progressing further in the tournament.

Celtic remains four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, but their European woes continue to overshadow their domestic success. They will look to bounce back in their next match against Hibernian at Easter Road, as they aim to regain their confidence and find a way to turn their fortunes around in the Europa League.

via Sky Sports