Celtic’s European campaign suffered another blow when they were beaten 4‑1 by Benfica in the second leg of their Europa League tie, leaving the Scottish champions with a slim chance of reaching the knockout stages. Manager Martin O’Neill chose to highlight the positives from the second half, arguing that the team’s performance after the break gave them hope for qualification despite the heavy defeat. The loss, however, marked the fourth of five games Celtic have dropped points in, and the club’s recent form has left many supporters skeptical of O’Neill’s optimism.
The match in Lisbon began with a disastrous start for Celtic. Dane Murray’s error allowed Jhon Duran to win a penalty within the first four minutes, and the Scottish side’s sloppy play continued throughout the opening half. Sebastian Tounekti failed to stop Alexander Bah, who scored Benfica’s second goal, and Viljami Sinisalo was beaten by Duran for the third. A late consolation came from Camilo Duran after the break, but Vangelis Pavlidis struck a fourth goal for the hosts, sealing a decisive victory. O’Neill admitted that conceding early was a mistake, but he praised his side’s second‑half resilience, noting that they created “chance after chance” and that the performance gave him confidence that they could still qualify.
Celtic’s defensive frailties were exposed once again, particularly in the absence of injured centre‑back Cameron Carter‑Vickers. Gianluca Prestianni and Duran repeatedly troubled Benfica’s back line, while the lack of depth in defence was evident. In attack, O’Neill’s biggest concern remains the club’s record signing, Kasper Høg, who has failed to score in ten of his first eleven appearances since joining from Bodø/Glimt. Former Celtic midfielder Scott Allan suggested that Duran, who has played wide at his previous clubs, may be a better fit in the midfield, a view that aligns with O’Neill’s decision to bring him on at half‑time. The manager said he sees Duran as a “creative midfield player” and believes he can be more effective through the middle.
Despite the defeat, O’Neill remains determined to keep the team’s hopes alive. He stated that the second‑half performance was “terrific” and that Celtic “came roaring back.” He also acknowledged that the club’s current standing in the competition – 34th out of 36 after two games – is a harsh reality, but he maintains that they can still qualify if they improve. Captain Callum McGregor echoed this sentiment, admitting that the first half was “a mountain to climb” and that the team’s lack of ball control had cost them dearly.
With the European campaign now effectively over, Celtic will look to regroup for their domestic fixtures. The club’s recent string of defeats, including two losses to Rangers and two European outings, has left fans and pundits questioning the team’s trajectory. O’Neill’s focus on the second‑half positives may provide a short‑term morale boost, but the club’s performance on the field will ultimately determine whether they can recover from this setback and secure a place in the next round of the competition.