Celtic manager Martin O’Neill insisted his side would have gone on to win their Europa League clash with Bologna had they remained with 11 men, after battling to a 2-2 draw despite playing most of the match a player down.
The Scottish champions were reduced to ten men early on when Reo Hatate was shown two yellow cards in quick succession, but Celtic still produced a resilient display in Italy.
Hatate had earlier opened the scoring inside five minutes by capitalising on a goalkeeping error, before Auston Trusty doubled Celtic’s lead with a header from a corner just before the break.
Although Bologna mounted heavy second-half pressure and eventually drew level, Celtic also created chances to win the match and left with a valuable point.
The result leaves them well placed ahead of their final group game, with victory over already-eliminated Utrecht at Celtic Park next Thursday taking them to 11 points and securing a place in the knockout play-off round.
O’Neill was full of praise for central defenders Auston Trusty and Liam Scales, describing their performances as outstanding in the face of relentless pressure.
Bologna registered 36 shots and dominated possession after the interval, but Celtic’s defensive pair repeatedly put their bodies on the line.
“Trusty was magnificent — absolutely magnificent,” O’Neill said. “I couldn’t give him any higher praise. He epitomised the spirit of the team. He and Liam Scales have been really, really strong as a partnership for me. It was colossal, truly colossal.”
O’Neill also revealed that Hatate apologised immediately after his dismissal. “He was waiting for me at half-time and again after the game,” the manager explained. “You have to be careful in those moments. It felt like the referee was quick to produce the second yellow, but I’d probably feel that way regardless.”
The Celtic boss, who himself was booked for dissent following the incident, admitted the sending-off had a major impact on the contest.
“We started brilliantly, scored, and looked a very good side,” he said. “From then on, most of the game became about defending, but the effort, spirit, and willingness to block shots and protect the box was splendid.
“We’ve given ourselves a chance — just a chance — of qualifying, and I’m delighted with that. Honestly, if we’d stayed with 11 men, I believe we would have won the game.”
Attention now turns back to domestic matters, with Celtic travelling to Tynecastle on Sunday for a crucial top-of-the-table clash against Hearts.
O’Neill will have the option of calling upon new signing Tomáš Čvančara, whose loan move from Borussia Mönchengladbach was confirmed this week.
The 25-year-old striker insists he is ready for the challenge. “Of course there’s pressure,” Čvančara said. “But that’s no problem for me.
I knew the expectations when I joined. I know the club’s target and my own, and I’ll do everything I can to help us achieve them together. I’m ready.”
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