Celtic Secure Europa League Knockout Berth with Dramatic Victory
Martin O’Neill lavished praise on defender Auston Trusty for settling Celtic’s nerves with a commanding header that guaranteed their progression to the Europa League knockout play-off round. The Parkhead side required a win to confirm their passage and raced into a three-goal lead within a blistering opening twenty minutes, with former Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas at fault for the first two concessions.
Dutch Fightback Thwarted by Decisive Intervention
However, Dutch visitors Utrecht mounted a spirited comeback, reducing the deficit to a single goal with strikes either side of half-time. Anxious home supporters breathed a collective sigh of relief when defender Trusty rose highest to meet a corner from Arne Engels, powering a header home to restore a two-goal cushion and secure a 4-2 triumph.
This moment provided a far happier conclusion to the week for the American international, following the club’s unsuccessful appeal against his controversial red card in the recent 2-2 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle.
Manager O’Neill Reflects on Resilience and Reward
Looking ahead to today’s draw, which will pit Celtic against either Robbie Keane’s Ferencvaros or Stuttgart for a place in the last sixteen, manager O’Neill expressed his satisfaction. ‘It was nice, we played really strongly for the first 20 minutes and got ourselves in front, a couple of great goals, then it got a little bit nervy when we went to 3-2, but Trusty scored a great header,’ he stated.
‘Over the last couple of weeks we have shown great resilience, going down to ten men for 60 minutes (against Bologna), then down to ten for 25 minutes in the game (against Hearts). I didn’t make that many changes, so we went again, and got our rewards.’
‘I’m just glad (to be in the draw) and, after a number of games, we would have got long odds on that, but the players have done brilliantly. The win at Feyenoord and last Thursday at Bologna counted for something. The last thing you want is a great performance and it counts for nothing.’
Transfer Window Activity and Squad Confidence
When questioned about the club’s efforts to secure new recruits before Monday’s transfer deadline, O’Neill offered an optimistic update. ‘We are making progress and I think we can move it along in the next couple of days. You are trying to look for a bit of quality that might supplement the squad, and that’s what we are trying to do. I can never guarantee anything, but I’m very, very hopeful.’
Skipper Callum McGregor echoed the collective determination, remarking, ‘We knew the objective was to win. Overall it’s been a decent campaign, one or two results put us up against it, but when the pressure was on, we delivered. The mentality has been amazing. The boys were really hungry to dig ourselves out of the hole we were in (under previous boss Wilfried Nancy) and, even when it gets to 3-2 tonight, Arne’s set piece and Auston’s header takes the sting out of it.’
On the subject of potential new arrivals, McGregor added, ‘We trust the club to get the players that the manager and the staff want, but the players that are here are working ever so hard.’
Celtic’s Transfer Targets Revealed
Celtic have reportedly identified a double swoop for French winger Fares Ghedjemis and Hungarian forward Damir Redzic. Ghedjemis, a rapid twenty-three-year-old currently with Italian second division side Frosinone, is understood to be enthusiastic about a move to Glasgow, with negotiations believed to be at an advanced stage.
Redzic, aged twenty-two, plays for Slovak side DAC Dunajska Streda but also holds an offer from RB Salzburg. Celtic remain engaged in discussions with his club as they seek to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes.
Earlier this week, O’Neill acknowledged his desire to introduce three new faces into the squad. To date this month, Celtic have secured only two loan signings: Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara.
