Four main takeaways from Celtic’s miserable 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo in the Europa League
Published 23rd Oct 2026, 07:30 BST
Celtic’s European troubles deepened last night as two goals in three second-half minutes saw Celta Vigo come from behind to condemn Martin O’Neill’s side to a third consecutive Europa League defeat, leaving their hopes of knockout stage progression increasingly slim.
Full-back Javi Rodriguez scored both goals for the Spaniards, firstly heading in a deep free-kick from close range before lashing home a sublime second from 20-yards to leave the Scottish champions pointless after three rounds of fixtures in the competition’s league phase.
Having already fallen to Ferencváros and Benfica, Celtic looked to have turned a corner when Mika Baur swept home a composed side-footed finish just two minutes into the second half. However, the manner in which the hosts capitulated once again will be a major source of frustration for O’Neill.
Lewis Anderson watched the action unfold at Celtic Park for The Scotsman and picks out his four main takeaways from the game.
A worrying lack of European resilience
For more than an hour, Celtic appeared capable of banishing the gloom that has enveloped their recent continental performances. Baur’s precise finish had put them firmly in the driving seat, while Liam Scales came agonisingly close to doubling their advantage with a header from a corner that clipped the crossbar, leaving the hosts seemingly well placed to see out the contest.
Instead, two moments of defensive disarray allowed the visitors to seize control, leaving Celtic to contemplate another European night defined by missed opportunities and familiar failings.
The moment Celtic encounter any real adversity, the same old weaknesses come to the fore. There is a glaring inability to respond when things start going wrong and Celtic now require something extraordinary to turn their fortunes around. The slightest setback seems to unsettle them, and suddenly the belief disappears.
The La Liga outfit looked short of ideas for much of the game, yet the moment they found an equaliser, Celtic fell apart. The lack of composure was alarming. One goal was all it took for Celtic to lose their shape, their confidence and ultimately the match. Both goals were entirely avoidable, and a night that promised much quickly descended into another miserable European collapse.
Celta’s second goal, in particular, was a dreadful one to concede. Celtic were exposed down the right, but had more than enough opportunities to get the ball clear. Callum McGregor was too weak in the challenge. The finish from Rodriguez was exquisite, but the home side were inviting pressure and paid the price.
Their instinct is to retreat, keep possession for possession’s sake and play safe passes across the back rather than take the game to the opposition. In doing so, Celtic surrender territory and make life increasingly difficult for themselves. It’s a worrying habit that keeps resurfacing.
Celtic’s continental standing is in decline
Celtic’s European struggles have reached a new low. They have now lost four consecutive matches on the continent, shipping 14 goals across those defeats. A damning reflection of their ongoing struggles.
According to Opta, they had endured such a dismal run only once before in the same season, during their 2017-18 Champions League campaign. This latest defeat means they have now equalled that unwanted club record, underlining the scale of the problems facing O’Neill’s side in Europe.
The disparity between Celtic’s domestic success and their continental struggles is becoming ever more pronounced. Chris Sutton’s description of them as “flat-track bullies” carries added weight after another disappointing night in which they failed to stand up to a stern European examination.
For a club of Celtic’s history, stature and ambitions, their diminishing influence in European football is a troubling reality. They are falling further behind, and displays like this only reinforce the sense that their continental standing is in decline.
Record-breaking away support make presence felt
In contrast, this was a night to savour for those of Celta persuasion. Not only did the 2-1 victory get them off the mark in the Europa League at the third attempt, having also lost their opening two matches, it was witnessed by their largest-ever travelling support for a European fixture.
Around 3,000 supporters made the journey to Scotland, surpassing their previous record of 2,900 for last season’s Europa League last-16 tie against Lyon. Their vocal backing provided a raucous soundtrack to a memorable comeback, ensuring those who travelled to Glasgow had plenty to celebrate on the long journey home.
The noise from the away end reached another level when Rodríguez struck twice in quick succession to turn the game on its head, with wild celebrations reverberating around the stadium. It was a magnificent show of support that brought an unmistakably Spanish flavour to the occasion, particularly given the notable absence of the Green Brigade, who continued their boycott of all home European fixtures amid an ongoing feud with the hierarchy over its treatment of supporters and the direction of the club.
The standings don’t lie...
The only side now languishing below Celtic in the 36-team Europa League standings is Ararat-Armenia, whose goal difference is three worse than the Scottish champions. A sobering measure of just how badly their campaign has unravelled.
However, Celtic have little time to dwell on this latest setback. They face an uphill battle to climb the table, and anything less than maximum points at home to Besiktas next time out would leave their hopes of reaching the knockout stages hanging by a thread.
With five league-phase games remaining, there is still time for Celtic to salvage their increasingly precarious position, but their margin for error is shrinking fast. They need to respond, and they need to do so immediately.
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