Celtic Soundly Beaten by Midtjylland to End Martin O’Neill’s Winning Start

Celtic’s revival under Martin O’Neill came to an abrupt halt in Jutland as they suffered a 3-1 defeat against FC Midtjylland.

The result delivered a major setback to the Hoops’ hopes of extending their UEFA Europa League campaign into the knockout stages, with the Danish side scoring three times in an eight-minute first-half blitz.

Teenage substitute Callum Osmand earned a late penalty that Reo Hatate converted, but the 19-year-old was later stretchered off in tears with what appeared to be a hamstring injury — compounding a miserable evening for the Scottish champions.

O’Neill had witnessed Midtjylland’s threat first-hand only last month when they defeated Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest, before the 73-year-old was persuaded to return to the Celtic dugout following Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation.

The Hoops travelled to Herning with optimism after O’Neill’s emotional comeback had produced two morale-boosting domestic victories — a 4-0 league triumph over Falkirk and a rousing Old Firm win against Rangers that secured their place in the Premier Sports Cup final.

However, positive energy and nostalgia could carry them only so far. Celtic were ruthlessly dismantled at the MCH Arena as Midtjylland recorded their fourth consecutive win to remain top of the 36-team competition.

Celtic made a bright start, registering the first shot on target within 25 seconds when Johnny Kenny’s low effort was comfortably gathered by home goalkeeper Elias Rafn Olafsson. It proved to be their only attempt on goal for the next 80 minutes.

Midtjylland quickly took control, capitalising on a midfield error by Callum McGregor that allowed Dario Osorio to fire narrowly over the bar. Auston Trusty then produced a vital block to deny Osorio again, with Franculino Dju blasting the rebound over.

Former Rangers full-back Kevin Mbabu was twice thwarted, while Mads Bech Sørensen — once of Brentford — glanced Osorio’s dangerous free-kick over the crossbar.

The hosts came even closer when former Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing cleverly dummied a low cross for Cho Gue-sung, whose close-range strike was parried brilliantly by Kasper Schmeichel. Anthony Ralston took the rebound full in the face to prevent the follow-up.

Schmeichel, returning to Denmark just a day after celebrating his 39th birthday, produced another fine stop to tip Pedro Bravo’s 20-yard volley wide. But his resistance was short-lived, and the breakthrough arrived from the resulting corner.

Celtic initially cleared their lines, but Mikel Gogorza recovered the ball near the byline and floated a cross for Croatian defender Martin Erlić to head home.

Barely two minutes later, Midtjylland doubled their advantage. Arne Engels and Ralston failed to contain Gogorza, who darted between them before firing a low drive beyond Schmeichel.

The hosts made it three before the interval. A long throw from Sørensen caused panic in the box, and Guinea-Bissau forward Franculino Dju seized the second ball, curling in his 18th goal of the season inside the far post.

Schmeichel appealed for offside, insisting he had been unsighted by obstructing players, but a swift VAR review confirmed the goal.

O’Neill introduced Osmand at half-time, and the youngster made an instant impact, winning a penalty after being brought down by Erlić. Hatate converted from the spot to give Celtic a consolation goal, though it did little to disguise the gulf in quality on display.

Osmand’s late injury, which saw him carried off on a stretcher, deepened the gloom for O’Neill’s men on a chastening night in Denmark.