Celtic advances in the Champions League, creating a “smattering of history.”

Celtic achieves a “minor milestone” in the Champions League.GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – For the first time in 12 years, Celtic qualified for the

Champions League quarterfinal stage after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Young Boys, which was facilitated by Loris Benito’s late own goal. Despite having a penalty saved in the first half, three goals disallowed, and ending with ten men after Daizen Maeda was sent off, the Scottish champion managed to secure a spot in the top 24 of the 36-team table and advance to the quarterfinal round.

Celtic has advanced to the 18th position in anticipation of their upcoming match against Aston Villa. “It is a small piece of history that we have created; we have not been in the knockout stages in a long time,” Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers stated. “It is an extraordinary evening for the supporters.” “We kept going, kept fighting, kept believing and got the points.”

Before the previous season, the Hoops had not won a single Champions League game in seven years. However, they have won three and lost only one of their seven matches in the new format of the competition. “To have 12 points at this stage is fantastic from where the club has been,” the manager stated. “The objective is to uphold this level in the years ahead.”

After failing to gain a point in its first six matches, Young Boys arrived in Glasgow with its chances of progression long gone. During this period, the team conceded 22 goals. In the first half, Celtic had the ball in the net three times, but none of them tallied in a frustrating first 45 minutes for Rodgers’ men.

Therefore, the tally could have been significantly higher than just one. Kyogo Furuhashi scored the first of the disallowed goals just six minutes in, but he had strayed offside before latching onto Arne Engels’ through pass.

The second of his hat trick of disallowed efforts was stroked in by the Japan international, but VAR intervened following a penalty committed by Callum McGregor in the buildup. Several seconds later, Furuhashi converted Maeda’s cross; however, both players had fallen offside. A penalty was awarded in the 40th minute to Celtic in response to their pressure.

In a Celtic uniform, Engels was 5-for-5 on spot-kicks; however, the club’s record signing failed to score at the most inopportune moment, as his modest penalty was effortlessly saved by Marvin Keller. In the second half, Celtic’s fatigue became apparent as they played their fourteenth match since December 4, a stark contrast to their opponent, who had only recently resumed domestic play after a winter hiatus.

Earlier in the day, Celtic custodian Kasper Schmeichel extended his contract to 2026 and demonstrated his value with a remarkable double save at the hour mark, preventing Darian Males from scoring twice. Adam Idah replaced Furuhashi, prompting Rodgers to consult his reserves for additional energy. The Irish international’s 14-game goal hiatus was prolonged; however,

he was instrumental in the victory as Keller saved his attempt, which fell into the path of the advancing Benito, who was unable to redirect it into his own net. Maeda, who had been kicked out and given his departure orders following a VAR review, lost his composure moments later due to the rough treatment he had received.

Celtic, however, prevailed in the face of an aerial assault during the five minutes of stoppage time, guaranteeing that it will play at least three additional games at the summit of Europe this season.