Celtic Manager Remains Defiant After Heavy Europa League Defeat

Martin O’Neill remained defiant and insisted Celtic can still qualify for the Europa League knockout stages despite a bruising 4-1 defeat to Benfica in Lisbon.

Celtic have now conceded the most goals of any team in this season’s Europa League and have shipped 12 in their last three European matches. Without a win or a point from their opening two games, the Scottish club fell behind after only five minutes at the Estadio da Luz when Dane Murray gave away a penalty, converted by Benfica striker Jhon Duran. Benfica extended their lead to 3-0 by halftime with another goal from Duran and one from Alexander Bah.

O’Neill had asked his players to channel the spirit of the Lisbon Lions in their efforts to cause an upset, but his team fell significantly short. However, the manager claimed he was proud of his players for their second-half performance, during which Camilo Duran scored a consolation goal for Celtic.

“Last thing you want to do is concede so early on,” O’Neill said. “We could’ve capitulated, but I thought the second-half performance was terrific. We created chance after chance. The second-half performance gives me the determination. I think we can still qualify. We can still do it. It’s not bravado on my part. I genuinely believe we can still do it.

“We came roaring back, the subs came on and did brilliantly. We could’ve scored a number of goals. It changed because two wide players really wanted to get at people. I accept on the break they (Benfica) could have scored themselves, as they did with their fourth goal. But I thought the second half was really terrific.

“I take great encouragement from this and even though we’ve lost two games, I genuinely believe that we can make it. Benfica are a very fine side. I think they’ve spent about £100 million, they’re one of the favourites for the competition. We know we can defend better and hopefully we can look to eradicate that over the course of the season.

“We could have crumbled after going 3-0 down, but we didn’t. We have to take encouragement from that and use that second half performance going into Hearts on Sunday.”

During O’Neill’s first stint as Celtic manager, the club competed strongly in the Champions League and reached a UEFA Cup Final. This season's Europa League campaign appears to be in jeopardy after opening with two consecutive defeats.

Pressed on the club's decline in European fortunes, O’Neill responded, “No, that’s a big, big question. I haven’t seen all the things that have happened over the last 20-odd years. What I do know is Benfica are a fine side, maybe unfortunate not to be in the Champions League. There are some serious teams in the Europa League. But, that aside, your question demands a longer answer than I can give at this minute.”

Celtic skipper Callum McGregor admitted the team's first-half performance contributed to their downfall.

“It is a disappointing result,” McGregor said. “We were here to get points and win. We were playing against a really good side with really good quality in final third. First half we didn’t help ourselves. Second half we score one, probably could score another. Bit of a game of two halves. Unforced errors lead to the second and third goals and you have a mountain to climb. We know at this level if you don’t look after the ball you’re going to get punished.”