O’Neill backs Celtic to recover after 4-1 defeat by Benfica

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said his side can still reach the Europa League knockout stages after losing 4-1 to Benfica, despite the Scottish champions sitting 34th of 36 teams after two matches. The defeat was Celtic’s fourth in five games, and all four of their high-stakes matches this season — against Rangers and in Europe — have ended in losses. [1]

Celtic’s first-half errors left them three goals behind. Dane Murray conceded an early penalty by bringing down Jhon Durán, Sebastian Tounekti was beaten by Alexander Bah for Benfica’s second, and Durán added a third before half-time.

Celtic improved after the break: Camilo Durán scored and hit the post. But Benfica, who also struck the woodwork twice, added a late goal through Vangelis Pavlidis.

O’Neill called Celtic’s second-half display “terrific” and said the team had created “chance after chance”. He acknowledged Benfica had threatened on the break, but said Celtic could still qualify. Captain Callum McGregor, meanwhile, said unforced errors had left his side with “a mountain to climb”. [1]

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton called the team “flat-track bullies”, while former midfielder Scott Allan questioned the form of record signing Kasper Høgh, who was substituted at half-time. Høgh had not scored in 10 of his first 11 appearances since joining from Bodø/Glimt in the summer. Allan said he would choose Durán ahead of Høgh, and O’Neill said he believes the Colombian is best suited to playing through the middle. [1]