Overview
- Celtic suffered a 3-1 defeat at Celtic Park to Ferencvaros on Thursday after a week that included a 3-0 loss to Rangers and an earlier Champions League play-off exit.
- Ferencvaros took the lead through a Bamidele Yusuf effort that deflected off Liam Scales, Mika Baur levelled before half-time, Kristoffer Zachariassen restored the lead and Daniel Arzani scored early in the second half.
- Manager Martin O’Neill called the result 'a European lesson', refused to explain his goalkeeper change in a TV interview, and acknowledged a psychological dip in the squad as fans booed at full time.
- Pundits and former club figures have publicly questioned O’Neill’s methods and the board’s summer recruitment, with former CEO Keith Wyness warning the squad may be too thin to handle Europa League Thursday–Sunday fixtures.
- The Old Firm derby at Celtic Park on Sunday is now the immediate test for O’Neill and the players, with a short international break to follow and potential domestic fallout if form does not improve.