‘We can still qualify’ – O’Neill remains hopeful despite another Europa League defeat
Martin O’Neill could only take hope from an improved second half performance, following Celtic’s 4-1 defeat away to Benfica in the Europa League. Returning to the city that saw the Hoops crowned European champions 61 years ago, O’Neill’s side were far off the standard required.
Celtic conceded a penalty after five minutes, with Jhon Durán dispatching a panenka from the spot, as Marco Silva’s team easily dominated the first half to lead 3-0 before the break.
Celtic are short of confidence on the European stage, having collapsed against LASK in the Champions League Playoff round, and then suffering a 3-1 loss at home to Ferencváros in their Europa League opener.
The Hoops boss was angered by his side’s basic defensive errors, but praised Callum Osmand and Haissem Hassan for their positive impact in the second half.
“For the cross on the second goal, we’re coming out instead of defending it properly,” O’Neill told TNT Sports.
“That’s really poor from our viewpoint. You can’t afford to do that in any game, never mind one of this magnitude.
“In the second half we came roaring back. The substitutes came on and did brilliantly.
“It changed because the two wide players wanted to get at people. They showed great determination to go beyond and also take players on. That gave the rest of the team a bit of impetus.
“We created chance after chance and we should have scored more goals. I’m really delighted with the second half performance.”
The away side netted just after the hour mark through a Camilo Durán header. O’Neill will hope the Colombian is fully firing this Sunday against Hearts, as the Hoops clash with last season’s title challengers.
After the heavy defeat in Lisbon, Celtic sit third bottom of the Europa League table with zero points from two games, but O’Neill is optimistic about the remaining fixtures.
“The second half performance gives me determination, and I think we can still qualify. I know it’s now down to six games, but we want to get into the knockout stages and we can still do it,” the Celtic boss added.
