adminExasperated Celtic boss Martin O’Neill insisted his side were handed a European lesson as they suffered a demoralising home defeat to Ferencvaros in their Europa League opener.
Still reeling from their bruising 3-0 Premier Sports Cup quarter-final loss to Rangers at Ibrox last weekend, O’Neill’s men failed to raise spirits in the east end of Glasgow as they slumped to a thoroughly unconvincing defeat against a side currently sitting fifth in the Hungarian top flight.
To make matters worse, former Celtic winger Daniel Arzani tormented his old club with an impressive performance and a decisive third goal shortly after the interval.
The visitors took the lead through Bamidele Yusuf’s deflected effort, but Celtic restored parity in the 44th minute through Mika Baur.
However, in another all too familiar European capitulation from the home side, they conceded to Kristoffer Zachariassen just a minute later, leaving O’Neill furious at their defensive frailty.
The Celtic manager said: ‘It’s a huge frustration, obviously, but it’s also psychologically quite damning as well.
Just when you’ve fought your way back into the game and you think, well if you can’t deal with the minute the fourth official puts up, at least defend it properly and we didn’t do that. That was really disappointing.
‘It’s not the start we wanted. We have seven games in which to try and get some points on the board. Tonight was I think a European lesson for us in many aspects.’
O’Neill stressed that his players must show greater courage – beginning with Sunday’s crucial Premiership encounter with Rangers at Celtic Park.
‘When we have decent possession of the ball, just don’t give it away,’ he said. ‘But also I think taking a few risks as well too — risks in the proper areas of the field.
‘We really need to concentrate now on Sunday [against Rangers]. We’ll get ourselves together. We need to re-energise ourselves as much as anything else.’
O’Neill had altered his starting line-up after their Ibrox loss last weekend, with struggling striker Kasper Hogh relegated to the bench and Camilo Duran chosen to lead the attack.
There was also a switch in goal as Sam Johnstone – unconvincing during the Premier Sports Cup defeat to Rangers – was replaced by Viljami Sinisalo.
Asked by TNT Sports trackside reporter Connie McLaughlin to explain his decision to replace Johnstone with Sinisalo, O’Neill snapped: ‘No, I won’t talk to you about the thinking behind that there. Sinisalo was always going to play.
‘Believe it or not Connie, my job is not to explain every single situation to you, much as you are going to ask and I’m delighted you are.’
When McLaughlin pressed him on the fact supporters might want to know his reasoning, O’Neill replied: ‘Well, why don’t I tell the fans through Celtic TV?’
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