Celtic survived a Bologna fightback to take a vital point in their penultimate Europa League match and keep their hopes of progression alive. It was the dream start for the Hoops in Italy as Daizen Maeda pounced on a goalkeeping mistake to set Reo Hatate up for an early opener.
But the goalscorer was then sent packing after two quick yellow cards as Celtic’s challenge became more daunting.
Auston Trusty was solid at the back as the Serie A side piled on the pressure, with the defender then doubling the lead just before the break.It was then wave after wave of attack from the hosts and Thijs Dallinga and Jonathan Rowe pulled the game back to 2-2.
Martin O’Neill’s side though managed to hold on to take a draw, meaning there is still all to play for against Utrecht at Parkhead next week.
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Hoops hold on for priceless point
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Reo Hatate opened the scoring in Italy
Hatate opened the scoring in the sixth minute after a gift from Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, who passed the ball straight to centre-forward Daizen Maeda. The Japan forward squared the ball for his compatriot to roll into an empty net.
Skorupski partially redeemed himself moments later as he clawed Hyun-jun Yang’s shot over the bar after Hatate’s pass threatened to get Maeda in behind. Liam Scales almost scrambled home the resulting corner.The game quickly turned though as Kasper Schmeichel made his first save, from Nadir Zortea, when Celtic were briefly down to 10 men as Maeda sorted trouble with a contact lens.
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Reo Hatate was sent off after two first half bookings
The hosts kept up the pressure. Callum McGregor produced a goal-saving challenge following slack play from Hatate and Trusty delivered a series of blocks and interventions in the penalty box.Schmeichel tipped over a corner that threatened to sail straight in and saved well from Juan Miranda’s first-time strike.Hatate was booked for a foul on Lewis Ferguson before needlessly flicking out a boot to catch Miranda in the 34th minute as the pair chased a ball that was heading into the Bologna half. A red…
2026-01-22 19:40:00
