Celtic manager Martin O’Neill praised the Hoops’ character and resilience after a heroic 2-2 Europa League draw away to Bologna at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium despite playing over an hour with 10 men.
The contest burst into life early, with Reo Hatate striking to give Celtic the lead and set the tone.
Momentum swung dramatically, however, when the midfielder was shown two yellow cards and sent off just over 30 minutes in, leaving the visitors facing a long and demanding night with 10 men.
Yet instead of retreating, the visitors pushed again. Just before the break, Auston Trusty rose to the occasion, powering home a goal that stunned the home crowd and sent the Hoops into half-time with a remarkable 2-0 advantage despite their numerical disadvantage.
After the restart, Bologna predictably came back into the contest, scoring twice to draw level.
Still, even as legs tired and pressure mounted, Celtic refused to buckle.
The defensive unit held firm in the closing stages, repelling wave after wave to secure a point that could prove decisive heading into the final group game.
“It was a magnificent effort by the team,” O’Neill told Celtic TV. “They put heart and soul into it.
“To play 60-odd minutes with 10 men and to show the sort of character that is supposedly lacking in this team – I don’t see it at all.
“I see heart and desire in big waves and it’s really welcoming to see.”
He added: “The sending off changes the course of the game in many aspects and there’s a long way to go, but the spirit of the side was terrific tonight and the crowd helped us the whole way through.
“It would have been a real shame if we had lost the game and the players were really out on their feet in the last 10 minutes, but they kept going.
“What it does for us, the point at least takes it into the final game and what we’ve done is given ourselves a bit of hope.”
In a match where adversity arrived early and stayed constant, the Celts’ response spoke volumes.
From taking the lead, to extending it with 10 men, and finally to grinding out a result under intense pressure, this was a performance built on belief and unity.
As the Europa League campaign now heads into its decisive phase, the Hoops have ensured they remain firmly in the fight.
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