European night turns bleak as Celtic fall to Celta Vigo
Parkhead thrummed with anticipation as the crowd settled into the Europa League tie, only for the roar to die down when the Spanish visitors surged ahead in the dying minutes, leaving Celtic with a bitter taste of defeat.
Spain defender Javi Rodriguez struck twice in a three‑minute spell, first heading home and then unleashing an unstoppable drive, erasing Germany midfielder Mika Baur’s early second‑half equaliser and sealing a 2‑1 win for Celta Vigo.
Early dominance and setback
Celtic pressed from the outset, but Hoops keeper Sam Johnstone was rarely tested as the visitors kept a tidy shape. In the 51st minute, Baur fired Celtic ahead just over a minute after the break, thrilling the home fans.
Rodriguez responded quickly, heading in from a cross to level the score, before the Spaniard’s second strike turned the tide.
Celta's rapid response
Rodriguez’s second goal came after a free‑kick from Hugo Alvarez curled in from the right; the defender met it with a powerful header that left Johnstone stranded.
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Minutes later he thundered a 20‑yard drive into the net, completing a rapid turnaround that left Celtic scrambling for answers.
Aftermath and domestic form
The defeat adds to Celtic’s European woes, following earlier losses to Ferencvaros and Benfica in the group stage and a Champions League qualifier exit to LASK after a 5‑4 aggregate defeat.
Domestically, the Scottish champions sit four points clear of Rangers at the top of the William Hill Premiership and will travel to Hibernian on Sunday.
Celtic’s ultras group, the Green Brigade, boycotted the match in protest at club management, leaving only a few hundred empty seats, while around 3,000 vocal Celta Vigo supporters filled the stands.
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Wayne Rooney’s blunt criticism of Bruno Fernandes and the United squad after the Como incident underscised the broader turbulence in football beyond the Celtic‑Celta clash.
The result serves as a stark reminder that European nights can turn bleak in an instant, and Celtic will need to regroup if they hope to revive their continental campaign.