Celtic's Europa League campaign is hanging by a thread after a 2-1 home defeat to Celta Vigo. Javi Rodriguez scored twice in three second-half minutes to overturn Mika Baur's opener and hand Celtic a third consecutive loss in the competition.
The result leaves Celtic with a mountain to climb in the new league phase format, where no team has ever reached the playoff round after losing their opening three games. This European setback starkly contrasts with their domestic dominance, where they sit first in the Premiership with 24 points from nine games.
Celtic started brightly and took the lead in the 47th minute. Haissem Hassan's deflected cross found Mika Baur, who finished from close range. The home side looked comfortable for much of the contest, with their defence described as stout in the first half. Celta Vigo struggled to create clear chances, with Celtic's goalkeeper largely untested until the turnaround.
Celta's quickfire turnaround
The game turned dramatically in a three-minute spell. In the 68th minute, Javi Rodriguez headed home from a Hugo Alvarez cross to level the score. Just three minutes later, the same player drove a shot from outside the box past the Celtic goalkeeper. The goal was confirmed after a VAR check for a potential offside, with the review showing Rodriguez was clearly onside.
Celtic pushed for an equaliser and fans appealed loudly for a penalty late on. "Celtic fans were screaming for a penalty when Callum Osmond went down from a push from Javi Rueda," one observer said. The appeals were waved away, and Celta Vigo held on for a fluid victory built on multiple rotations in possession. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers lamented the loss of control in midfield during the critical period, stating his team failed to manage the game after taking the lead.
The defeat follows heavy losses to Benfica and Ferencvaros, leaving Celtic with a record of two wins and three losses in their last five matches across all competitions. They must now regroup quickly for a return to Premiership action, where they hold a four-point lead at the top of the standings.
Brendan Rodgers's side travel to face Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday, looking to bounce back and maintain their perfect domestic away record this season. The manager confirmed there were no new injury concerns following the match, but indicated changes to the lineup were likely as the squad manages a congested fixture list.
Read the full report at Sky Sports Football
