Celtic survived a Bologna fightback to take a significant level of their penultimate Europa League match and preserve their hopes of development alive.
It was the dream begin for the Hoops in Italy as Daizen Maeda pounced on a goalkeeping mistake to set Reo Hatate up for an early opener.
However the goalscorer was then despatched packing after two fast yellow playing cards as Celtic’s problem turned extra daunting.
Auston Trusty was stable on the again because the Serie A facet piled on the strain, with the defender then doubling the lead simply earlier than the break.
It was then wave after wave of assault from the hosts and Thijs Dallinga and Jonathan Rowe pulled the sport again to 2-2.
Martin O’Neill’s facet although managed to carry on to take a draw, which means there may be nonetheless all to play for towards Utrecht at Parkhead subsequent week.
Hoops maintain on for priceless level
Reo Hatate opened the scoring in Italy
Hatate opened the scoring within the sixth minute after a present from Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, who handed the ball straight to centre-forward Daizen Maeda. The Japan ahead squared the ball for his compatriot to roll into an empty internet.
Skorupski partially redeemed himself moments later as he clawed Hyun-jun Yang’s shot over the bar after Hatate’s move threatened to get Maeda in behind. Liam Scales nearly scrambled dwelling the ensuing nook.
The sport rapidly turned although as Kasper Schmeichel made his first save, from Nadir Zortea, when Celtic have been briefly all the way down to 10 males as Maeda sorted hassle with a contact lens.
Reo Hatate was despatched off after two first half bookings
The hosts saved up the strain. Callum McGregor produced a goal-saving problem following slack play from Hatate and Trusty delivered a collection of blocks and interventions within the penalty field.
Schmeichel tipped over a nook that threatened to sail straight in and saved properly from Juan Miranda’s first-time strike.
Hatate was booked for a foul on Lewis Ferguson earlier than needlessly flicking out a boot to catch Miranda within the thirty fourth minute because the pair chased a ball that was heading into the Bologna half. A pink card adopted and O’Neill additionally acquired a yellow card for his protests.
Auston Trusty doubled Celtic’s lead
The Celtic followers have been celebrating once more 5 minutes earlier than the break as Trusty netted in off the bar on the again put up after Arne Engels had headed on Kieran Tierney’s inswinging nook.
Schmeichel saved Tommaso Pobega’s header and though Maeda swept a half-chance broad, the second half rapidly developed into an onslaught of the Dane’s objective.
Schmeichel saved Ferguson’s header and Nicolo Casale’s volley earlier than Benjamin Dominguez shot off the highest of the bar.
The strain paid off within the 58th minute when Dallinga received in entrance of Colby Donovan to nod dwelling from six yards after Jens Odgaard had headed on a cross.
Jonathan Rowe equalised for Bologna
Maeda was now taking part in as a supplementary wing-back as Celtic defended however the strain was relentless. The equaliser got here within the 72nd minute as former Norwich winger Rowe made area on the sting of the field and evaded substitute Benjamin Nygren to smash a shot into the roof of the web previous a immobile Schmeichel.
Celtic emerged from their shell and had alternatives to grab an unlikely win. Substitute Johnny Kenny compelled a save and might need been in a position to play Maeda in on a counter-attack whereas Liam Scales had a looping header tipped over.
There have been possibilities for the hosts too and Schmeichel saved from Riccardo Orsolini and Nicolo Cambiaghi.
‘Splendid’
Martin O’Neill (R) and Shaun Maloney are in cost at Celtic till the top of the season
Celtic supervisor Martin O’Neill:
“The sending off had a serious impact on recreation, thought we performed sensible a recreation, regarded a good outfit, performed great things.
“Seen [the red card] again, caught lad’s foot, ought to have been extra cautious. Clearly, put us on again foot and we spent lot of time defending.
“Effort put in, willingness proven, defending penalty field, method we did it, actually splendid.
“Bologna are a really positive facet, on the lookout for three factors tonight to get into high eight. For us, a special sample due to outcomes earlier however what we have now executed is give ourselves an opportunity of qualifying to get by way of. From that viewpoint, I’m delighted.
“My very own view is that if we stayed with 11 males, we might have received recreation.”
On Auston Trusty’s efficiency, O’Neill added: “Trusty was magnificent, completely magnificent, as he has been in my time right here and I’m positive earlier than that.
“Couldn’t give him any extra reward. Completely magnificent, as have been the staff. He and Liam Scales have been actually nice as a defensive two for me within the time I’ve been right here. My expectations are literally fairly excessive.”
O’Neill restored Celtic perception
Sky Sports activities’ Adam Bate at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara:
“What a recreation that was, Celtic can hardly regard it as two factors dropped given the circumstances. Bologna threw every little thing at them however they defended so resiliently – Trusty, particularly, magnificent.
“O’Neill has infused these gamers with such perception, laborious to grasp how it’s the similar facet that have been wilting not so way back. They’ve an actual alternative to make the knockout phases of the Europa League now.
“In fact, this recreation may have taken lots out of them forward of that key conflict with Hearts on the weekend. However attempt telling the Celtic followers right here on this stadium about that proper now.”
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