Martin O’Neill barks back at Celtic critics and praises ‘breathless’ Europa League draw vs Bologna

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Celtic were so close to pulling off another famous Europa League win in their draw at Bologna.

Goals from Reo Hatate and Auston Trusty gave Celtic a 2-0 advantage against Bologna as the Bhoys battled with 10 men for much of the game.

Hatate’s red card when Celtic were 1-0 up put his teammates on the backfoot, but even still, Trusty managed to double the advantage just minutes before the half time break.

How do you even begin to describe that bonkers half?!

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However, Bologna came out for the second half with clear intent after two goals in 14 minutes pegged Celtic back to earn a draw for the Serie A team.

Reacting the result, Celtic boss Martin O’Neill was proud of his players as he takes a precious Europa League point back to Glasgow.

• READ MORE: Pat Bonner’s furious message to Reo Hatate after Celtic red card vs Bologna

Martin O’Neill praises Celtic fans and ‘spirit’ of the Bhoys in Bologna

The Celtic boss was buzzing with the performance and he took a dig at the Celtic critics who claim the Hoops team was lacking in ‘character’ this season.

O’Neill told Celtic TV, “Well, it was breathless and I still am, but it was a magnificent effort by the team.

“They put heart and soul into it. I mean to play, what, 60 odd minutes, whatever it was, with 10 men, to show the sort of character that that supposedly is lacking in this team, I don’t see it. I don’t see it at all.

“I see heart and desire in big waves. And it’s really welcoming to see. However we got a goal. Might have been bad play by them, but we’ve got a goal.

“We press them, we press them, we press them. We’re playing some delightful stuff.

“The sending off, of course, changes the course of the game in many aspects, and it’s a long way to go.

“You know, as I said 60-odd minutes there with 10 men, but again, the spirit of the side was terrific, really, really terrific tonight, and the crowd helped us the whole way through.”

Celtic’s Europa League qualification route

Celtic can still qualify from the league phase in their final Europa League fixture against Utrecht at the end of January.

A win will guarantee qualification from the group whilst a draw will leave those hopes relying on results from other grounds.

With the Parkhead club putting in a heroic performance in Italy, O’Neill must surely deliver a blistering dressing down for Hatate who cost his Celtic teammates dear.