Reo Hatate scores for CelticImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Reo Hatate gave Celtic the lead in the closing stages of the first half

At a glance

  • Ueda gives Feyenoord early lead with calm low finish

  • Scottish champions hit back through Yang and Hatate to lead at half-time

  • Celtic ride luck at times in second half but seal second Europa League victory thanks to Nygren's emphatic strike

Resurgent Celtic came from behind to claim a landmark 3-1 victory over Feyenoord in the Europa League at a stunned De Kuip.

It was their first away win in Europe since November 2021, when they beat Ferencvaros in Hungary 15 games ago.

Ayase Ueda gave the Dutch outfit an early lead with a calm low finish, but goals from Yang Hyun-jun and Reo Hatate turned the game on its head before half-time.

Benjamin Nygren thumped home a third in the closing stages to calm any nerves in the jubilant away end.

It was a welcome return to winning ways on the continent for the Scottish champions, who were comprehensively outplayed by Midtjylland in their previous Europa League outing.

Martin O'Neill's side had to ride their luck at times in Rotterdam, but stood firm defensively and showed a clinical edge on their way to a vital three points as the Northern Irishman's interim return appears to be nearing an end.

Feyenoord have now lost four of their five matches in the competition, while Celtic climb into a play-off position after their second win.

Analysis: Celtic make chances count on historic night

Celtic were below par in their narrow Scottish Premiership win at St Mirren last weekend and, when they were undone early on, there were fears it could be another difficult night in Europe.

One long pass took out the visitors' defence and home captain Sem Steijn teed up Japan striker Ueda, who beat Kasper Schmeichel for his 14th goal of the season.

However, Celtic were unfazed by the early setback and roared back in fine style.

Yang arrived late in the box to flash a first-time finish past Timon Wellenreuther for the equaliser and the home goalkeeper gifted Celtic a second 12 minutes later.

Under pressure from Daizen Maeda, his attempted clearance went straight to Hatate, who rolled home into an empty net.

Feyenoord were rocked by the turnaround and Celtic carried their momentum into the second half, content to keep possession as the hosts sat off them.

Eventually, Robin van Persie's side did snap out of their funk and pushed for an equaliser.

However, Tsuyoshi Watanabe's effort was cleared off the line by Callum McGregor, Gaoussou Diarra had an effort blocked and a header bounce off the bar, while Anis Hadj Moussa fired wide on his left foot.

Having absorbed that pressure, Celtic made Feyenoord pay for their wasted chances, as Nygren smashed a left-footed shot in off the bar past a stranded Wellenreuther.

It is Celtic's first win in the Netherlands since 2001, when O'Neill was first in charge, when they knocked Ajax out of Champions League qualifying.

Before kick-off, O'Neill said he expected this match to be his last in interim charge. If that turns out to be the case, it is a fine way to bow out for the 73-year-old.

Graphic

What O'Neill said

Media caption,

Martin O'Neill reflects on win against Feyenoord

Celtic interim boss Martin O'Neill: "We played really well. There was a period in the game where we were totally dominant, controlling the ball and exuding a lot of confidence, which was lovely to see.

"Obviously going a goal behind, we could have crumbled. We showed character and resilience and then when we got the equaliser, the confidence flooded into the side.

"I said to the players before the game 'you will get a chance to play tonight'. We took that chance.

"Judging from last season, the format, you are looking for 10 or 11 points to qualify. It won't be easy, but Celtic have two home games and the confidence is in the side now."

What's next?

Celtic travel to Hibernian in the Premiership on Sunday (12:00 GMT), while they are next in Europa League action against Roma on 11 December.

Match stats

  • Feyenoord suffered their first home defeat against Scottish opposition in major European competition (W5 D1). They've now lost each of their last two against Scottish sides, as many as across their prior 11 combined (W7 D2).

  • Across major European competition, the result was Celtic's first away win by a 2+ goal margin since a 3-0 Champions League victory over Anderlecht in September 2017, this serving as their 32nd match since that success.

  • Celtic claimed their 10th win against sides from the Netherlands, only winning more matches against teams from Portugal and Switzerland (both 12).

  • Yang became just the second South Korean to score for Celtic in major European competition, after Ki Sung-Yueng against Udinese in the Europa League in September 2011.

  • McGregor made his 69th appearance in European competition for Celtic during this match, the joint-most in the club's history alongside Billy McNeill.

Player of the match

Number: 41 R. Hatate
Average rating 8.38
Number: 23 A. Hadj Moussa
Average Rating: 5.30
Number: 9 A. Ueda
Average Rating: 5.13
Number: 22 T. Wellenreuther
Average Rating: 4.89
Number: 49 S. van Persie
Average Rating: 4.83
Number: 14 S. Steijn
Average Rating: 4.76
Number: 27 G. Diarra
Average Rating: 4.70
Number: 28 O. Targhalline
Average Rating: 4.66
Number: 30 J. Lotomba
Average Rating: 4.65
Number: 16 L. Sauer
Average Rating: 4.58
Number: 21 A. Ahmedhodžić
Average Rating: 4.56
Number: 40 L. Valente
Average Rating: 4.55
Number: 5 G. Smal
Average Rating: 4.54
Number: 8 Q. Timber
Average Rating: 4.52
Number: 2 B. Nieuwkoop
Average Rating: 4.48
Number: 4 T. Watanabe
Average Rating: 4.41

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.