Story by
Celtic 1-2 Celta Vigo – Some improvement, but same problems remain
- Story by
- Celtic 1-2 Celta Vigo – Some improvement, but same problems remain
Celtic 1-2 Celta Vigo – Some improvement, but same problems remain
After the high of thumping Hearts on Sunday, Celtic were brought crashing back to earth with a bump last night as we fell to a third successive loss in the Europa League against Celta Vigo at Celtic Park despite going a goal up just after the restart courtesy of a fine Mika Baur finish…
Javi Rodriguez of Real Club Celta Vigo scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and Celta Vigo at Celtic Park on October 22, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Two quick fire strikes from Javi Rodriguez
Despite having that lead to protect, we collapsed yet again as the La Liga side struck back with two quick fire strikes from Javi Rodriguez to win 2-1, leaving Celtic second bottom of a 36 team league without a solitary point to our name after three matches.
Last night Celtic played quite well in patches, and we saw a definite improvement on the Ferencvaros and Benfica games. However despite showing more organisation and fight than in previous European games, we looked second best to a superior Celta Vigo side on the night.
Javi Rodriguez of Celta Vigo scores his team's second goal during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and Celta Vigo at Celtic Park on October 22, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Celta Vigo technically better than Celtic
If they possessed a decent finisher in the first half especially, then the Spanish side would have been well out of sight. They may be mid table in La Liga, but they are a much better side than us technically, and it showed on several occasions.
Celta carved us open with ease, more so towards the latter stages of the game, especially down the right hand side of the Celtic defence, as our lacking in experience and quality defence was targeted at every opportunity.
Three first pick defenders missing for Celtic
Granted we were missing the quality and experienced trio of Alistair Johnston , Cameron Carter Vickers and Auston Trusty in defence, but the fact we have to rely on Dane Murray and Liam Scales is further proof of the club's neglect on the recruitment front.
We may sit in a decent position domestically, but in Europe we are an absolute shambles this season having now suffered four embarrassing defeats in a row. For a once mighty force in European football the extent of our fall from the elite level is astonishing'.
Advertisement
Benjamin Nygren doesn't do enough pressing
Yes it was an improvement on previous games, and it can be said that the referee made some dubious calls, but those same old problems that haunt us on the big stage are still clearly evident. Celtic try to press but never quite manage it, Benjamin Nygren in particular never seems to grasp his responsibility in this side of the game, so we are always a man light. Why do the supporters see this but not the coaches?
Blame ultimately lies with Dermot Desmond
11th October 2026; Fir Park, Scottish Premiership, Motherwell versus Celtic; Celtic fans group Green Brigade with an anti Dermot Desmond banner. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Advertisement
"What has failed recently was not due to our structure or model, but to one individual's desire for self-preservation at the expense of others."
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Dermot Desmond is driven away from the Old Course after finishing his 3rd round with a close security guard in the front seat of the golf buggy at St Andrews, 03 October 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock IMAGO
Those famous words from Dermot Desmond after he chased an elite manager out the door at Celtic Park for daring to dream about Celtic having any sort of European ambition, following our Champions League performance in Munich.
Advertisement
Listen to this rant. Every single word is bang on…
Maybe the happy clappers and those paid fan media critics on social media will be taking a well deserved day or two off while avoiding looking at themselves in the their mirrors…
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
HAVE YOUR SAY –Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…
Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.
Quick Tip –Add Celticshorts.com as your 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you'll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE ….Hail Hail!
