BOLOGNA, ITALY - JANUARY 22: Celtic Manager Martin O'Neill waves to the travelling Celtic fans at full time during a UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna and Celtic at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, on January 22, 2026, in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill was delighted by the spirit shown by Celtic to take a point from Bologna tonight.
After seven matches in the Europa League Celtic have got eight points and have every chance of advancing to the Round of 16 Play Off stage.
A win next Thursday at home to Utrecht would extend Celtic’s European campaign into February.
O’NEILL BACK TO FOOTBALL CHAT
For once the chat after tonight’s match was on football rather than transfer matters.
On the back of a flat performance against Auchinleck Talbot on Sunday O’Neill made nine changes with only Callum McGregor and Colby Donovan starting both matches.
“It was a magnificent effort from the team”
Martin O’Neill praises his players for their performance away to Bologna…
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The visitors got off to the perfect start when a mistake from the Bologna ‘keeper saw Daizen Maeda set up Reo Hatate for the opening goal.
Midway through the first half the match took an unexpected turn with Maeda and Hatate booked.
Three minutes after getting his yellow it was a red card for Hatate in the 34th minute.
Undeterred Auston Trusty doubled Celtic’s lead in the 40th minute but the second half was backs-to-the-wall stuff for the 10 men.
Thijs Dallinga pulled one back for the homeside in the 58th minute, 12 minutes later the match was level with Jonathan Rowe on target.
Celtic survived a few scares but were generally well drilled as they held on from the 72nd minute to take a valuable point.
Now attention turns to Hearts away on Sunday and the chance to eat into the six point lead that the Edinburgh side has at the top of the SPFL Premiership.
Hatate will be suspended for the Utrecht match but it is one game at a time for O’Neill with full focus on Sunday’s match at Tynecastle.
“Hatate will be suspended for the Utrecht match”
Good the number of unforced errors by him for a professional is incredible. The sending off was harsh but you’ve just been booked 3 minutes beforehand.
Anyways…hats aff to MON, imagine the position we would have been in had we not employed the 33 day nutjob!
Hatate has run his race, he is more often than not a liability.
He has the talent, but not the consistency.
His concentration is appalling, he passes the ball straight to the opposition countless times in a game.
The odd wonder goal just ain’t worth all the negative.
As for Engels, well he just hasn’t delivered, and I doubt he ever will.
Other than that, helluva performance.
We’ll probably beat Utrecht with Hatate suspended !
I think he has ADHD. The man cant keep focussed for 10 mins. If we sell him to brighton am not gonna weep tbh