NEWS · 23 Oct 2026
O'Neill laments marginal moments as Celtic's Europa League exit raises doubts
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has blasted the referee's decisions and the team's near misses after a disappointing Europa League loss to Celta Vigo. He questions whether the club's performance truly reflects a lack of quality or if other factors are at play. The defeat leaves the club's European ambitions and domestic form under scrutiny.
Martin O'Neill was quick to voice his frustration after Celtic's recent Europa League defeat to Celta Vigo, pointing to a series of marginal moments and controversial refereeing decisions that he believes cost the team the match.
The manager highlighted a number of near misses and what he described as questionable calls that, in his view, tipped the balance in favour of the Spanish side. He suggested that if those moments had gone differently, the outcome might have been much more favourable for the Scottish club.
O'Neill's comments raise the question of whether Celtic's performance in the competition reflects a deeper issue with the team's quality and consistency. He implied that the club may be falling short of the standard required to compete at the highest level of European football.
Beyond the immediate disappointment, the result has implications for Celtic's standing in the Europa League group stage and their prospects of advancing to the knockout rounds. It also adds pressure on the club to address any gaps in squad depth and tactical execution before the next set of fixtures.
Looking ahead, Celtic will focus on regrouping for their remaining group matches and preparing for the upcoming domestic league fixtures. The club will need to assess the lessons from the loss and determine how best to strengthen the squad to avoid similar setbacks in future European campaigns.