Celtic never seem to do things the easy way, do they? Brendan Rodgers would have been sweating after his side had THREE goals disallowed and a penalty missed in the first half of what was a shattering 1-0 Champions League win over Young Boys at Parkhead.
Kyogo Furuhashi has been humble in recent weeks, admitting he needs to get more consistent with his finishing, but he could have had a hat-trick on another night had he timed his runs against the offside trap more effectively. Arne Engels, known for his penalty prowess, missed his shot from the spot—a poor attempt, to be fair—during the turbulent first half. Still, it was substitute Adam Idah who provided the spark late on, forcing the own goal from Loris Benito.
With this victory, Celtic fans can finally breathe easy. For the first time since 2013, the Hoops are back in the knockout stages of the Champions League. They were expected to dominate against the struggling Young Boys, and it was Idah’s direct play combined with some excellent vision from Reo Hatate which carved out the decisive moment.
The match had begun with promise as Celtic dominated possession and created several chances. After missing out on several potential scoring opportunities—including three ruled out for offside—Celtic faced rising tension among their fans. The rivalry only intensified when Engels, even as the team continued to press, failed to convert from the penalty spot. Hands were on heads throughout the stands, filling the atmosphere with trepidation.
Nonetheless, the second half was not without its moments. Celtic's relentless pressure finally told when, just four minutes from time, Idah was played through by the brilliant Hatate. After his shot was parried by keeper Marvin Keller, the deflection off Benito's legs sent the ball trickling over the line, securing the win.
Idah expressed immense joy post-match, stating, "It’s amazing, this feeling is indescribable. This is where we wanted to get to. We’ve been great this season and we’re ready to push on. We want to dream big, and we will go as far as we can." The striker’s enthusiasm encapsulated the feeling at Parkhead after such long years of disappointment.
While Celtic's performance wasn’t flawless—shown by the disallowed goals and missed penalty—there were standout individual efforts worthy of recognition. Callum McGregor led the team with tenacity, dominating the midfield, and he received high praise from fans and pundits alike. His leadership was pivotal, especially when the young talents struggled to convert chances.
The retrospective player ratings revealed much about the game’s dynamics. Kasper Schmeichel, with his experience, maintained composure with sensational saves and was awarded the highest score, rating 8 for his efforts. Alongside him, Ryo Hatate received praise for his skillful passing, and Idah’s late entrance brought new life and determination to the field.
Celtic’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, had to navigate rough waters. A string of missed opportunities left him scratching his head, but his team delivered when it mattered most. The dynamic shifts made via substitutions were effective; Idah, coming on for Furuhashi, finally shifted the momentum. "Anytime I come on, he [Rodgers] tells me to be myself and do my thing. These are the games I want to play and help the team," Idah noted after the match.
Going forward, Celtic’s eyes are now fixed on the next phase of Champions League play. They have secured their place, but what’s next? With heavyweights like Juventus and Real Madrid lurking, the true challenge lies ahead. Celtic aims not only for survival but for strong performances as they continue this European campaign. The players are no longer just satisfied with making it this far; they harbor ambitions of going as deep as they can—aiming high, as demonstrated by Idah’s sentiment.
Brendan Rodgers, reflecting on the performance, has confidence moving forward. He believes the match served as proof of their abilities, and with their solid squad, they can challenge any opponent. But questions still linger: Can Celtic retain their verve against the continent's elite teams? Will the `European nights at Parkhead` return to their former glory?
Until then, the players and fans alike bask in this moment, celebrating their return to European prominence. It's been too long away for Celtic, and they seem ready to embrace every moment of this return.