Celtic show ‘spirit’ & ‘resilience’ in Bologna as big week looms

What might have happened after Celtic jumped out to a two-goal lead was left in the interim, but Celtic interim boss Martin O’Neill was pleased by the “spirit” and “resilience” his side displayed in Bologna.

In Emilia-Romagna, Reo Hatate and Auston Trusty scored twice, but Bologna’s numerical advantage didn’t hold up as a result, with Reo Hatate and Auston Trusty getting Celtic three points.

Although goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was questioned for both goals by Thijs Dallinga and Jonathan Rowe, Celtic hung on for a priceless Europa League point.

Before they wrap up the league phase on Thursday at Parkhead against Utrecht, O’Neill’s side are 24th on eight points, just outside the cut-off point for reaching the competition’s knockout stages.

From the perspective of “we’ve given ourselves a chance to get through,” O’Neill said.

“I think we would have won the game if we had stayed with 11 men,” I believe.

“Undoubtedly, there is a point gained,” They’re going to put pressure on us because we’re a good team trying to make it into the top eight, which is natural. We displayed incredible resilience.

It was a back-to-the-wall Celtic performance following Hatate’s dismissal in the 34th minute, with Trusty’s back-post tap-in a rare venture into Bologna territory.

As Trusty and Liam Scales fought back against the Bologna siege, the Celtic backline rejected each attack.

The hosts had 63 touches in the Celtic box while dominating possession, holding Celtic to a halt in their own half, and dominated possession.

However, Dallinga’s obstinate defense was easily broken when he fired a powerful shot over Schmeichel from close range, forcing the Denmark veteran to be rooted on the spot.

What could have been, you might ask? Former Scotland forward James McFadden expressed his disappointment with Schmeichel, who could do better for both goals.

“So there will be a mix of emotions.”

O’Neill questioned Schmeichel’s lack of vision for Rowe’s leveller, but he instead decided to concentrate on his centre-backs’ work in the important draw.

Trusty alone successfully marshalled the exhausted visitors by making 17 clearances and three interceptions.

O’Neill remarked, “Trusty was magnificent, as he has been throughout my time here.”

“He was absolutely fantastic, as were the other members of the team, and I couldn’t give him any higher praise.” In the short amount of time I’ve been here, Ham and Scales have excelled as defensive duo, and I have a lot of expectations for them.

Trusty exemplified the team’s spirit tonight. It was incredible, and it will keep us engaged for at least a week.

Another former Celtic manager praised their effective strategy.

Neil Lennon praised the “brilliant character from the players.” You can understand what it means for them.

“We had a lot of Austin Trusty and Liam Scale,” They had to defend numerous crosses.

Hatate kicked out twice in just over three minutes and received a proper red card after opening the scoring with a terrible error from Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski.

Given Celtic’s 11-player team, O’Neill was offended by Referee Vassilios Fotias’ decision to award Hatate a second yellow.

He claimed that the sending off had a significant impact on the game.

I thought we played some really great stuff, got the goal, and looked really good overall.

“I’ve seen the sending off back,” Reo has caught the young man off guard, and he ought to be a little more cautious now that he has been booked. Even so, I thought it was a pretty harsh punishment for us.

The referee seemed to be waiting for the ball to be released, “I felt the ball was going out of play.”

O’Neill also questioned whether Bologna should have had a man sent off in the first half despite having won four points in his three Europa League games this season.

Daizen Maeda was prevented from scoring with a goal, but he made the decision to stay on his feet and tee up teammate Yang Hyun-jun, who had to wiggle past Skorupski to make a fantastic save.

I apologized to the fourth official a few times, but he should have apologized. If Daizen had fallen in the match between the final two players, the referee would have had no choice but to send their player off, O’Neill said.

Daizen continued to make the move as planned, but it was over.

Before the crucial game against Utrecht, Celtic must rest their exhausted legs before taking on Hearts, the Scottish Premiership’s top team, on Sunday.