Celtic's European Struggles: Can They Turn It Around?

Celtic's hopes in Europe are hanging by a thread following a 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo, marking their third consecutive loss in the Europa League. With no points earned and sitting second from bottom in the standings, the situation is looking grim for the Hoops. Currently ranked 35th out of 36 teams in the competition, Celtic is only spared from last place by goal difference over Ararat-Armenia. Their domestic form seemed promising after a stunning 7-1 victory over Hearts, but their European shortcomings soon came to the forefront once again. The game took a turn just after halftime when German midfielder Mika Baur netted the opener for Celta. For a brief moment, it appeared Celtic might snatch their first three points of the campaign. However, Spanish international Javi Rodriguez turned the tide with two quick goals, leaving Celtic with a disheartening record of zero points from their first three group matches. O'Neill reflected on the frustrating moments, stating, "We conceded a free-kick that I felt should have gone our way just before they scored. It shifted the momentum in their favor." He added, "If Liam Scales' header had found the net to make it 2-0, we would have walked away with the win. But it didn’t happen, and we need to figure out how to win these crucial European games." Celtic seemed destined for the Champions League earlier this season, boasting a 4-0 aggregate lead against LASK in the play-off round before a shocking five-goal collapse sent them tumbling into the Europa League. Now, O'Neill's side has lost four straight European matches, conceding a staggering 14 goals in the process. Baur, who scored for Celta, acknowledged Celtic's struggles at this level, saying, "Our main focus is on performing consistently in the league first, then turning our attention to the Europa League and international matches. Right now, it feels like we're not quite able to secure wins in these games." Looking ahead to their next fixture against Besiktas in two weeks, he expressed hope for a turnaround, emphasizing the need for points. "The first half was decent, but once they scored, the momentum completely shifted and we couldn’t regain control. It’s a tough situation, but with five games left, we have to keep believing. We still have chances ahead of us."