FT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
That's all folks! A disappointing night for Celtic as they lose their Europa League opener at home to Hungarian side Ferencvaros.
After a 3-0 League Cup defeat by Rangers, this performances heaps more pressure on Celtic as they play their rivals at home on Sunday in the Scottish Premiership.
Image source, SNSThe next four games will tell us a lot about this Celtic side and whether they can improve.
They have Rangers at home in the league on Sunday, before the international break.
When they return they face Motherwell away, Benfica away, and Hearts at home.
FT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
Neil Lennon
Former Celtic manager on TNT Sports
They're not bad players, they're just lacking confidence.
They have a huge game on Sunday, but they are going to have to play a lot better.
FT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
It was very hard to get excited when you see people giving the ball away needlessly.
They were devoid of ideas. Celtic want to build the game from the back, through the midfield and then get into an attacking situation higher up the pitch.
But when you can't do that, they don't have another plan of action. It keeps breaking down and then everybody becomes frustrated. And then the goals don't help.
Unless something drastically changes, with the players that they have on the pitch, I don't think they can play that way.
Image source, SNSFT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
Geoff, Celtic fans have been asking the same question for years now. The silence from the board is constantly deafening.
Steph
To Geoff - Of course not! Europe always the aim - we should be a competent European club but have squandered a decade of almost free passes to the UCL. Ran by a stale, unambitious board who are happy with their bonuses coming in.
Daniel
FT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
According to Opta, Kieran Tierney was Celtic's most progressive player tonight with his passing. It was his cross which set up Mika Baur for their only goal.
We know the left-back is a good player. But surely Celtic need more from midfield?
Centre-backs Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers, plus Tierney, had more touches than anyone else in the team.
Image source, OptaFT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
And a wee bit more from Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "The last time there was an international break, I think, was March, I think, when we played badly against Dundee United. So, don't want that to happen again.
"Sunday's a big game, it's a big game anyway. We will be still actually in front, regardless of the result by the time the international break starts.
"But even so, we'd want to put on a proper performance for the fans and for ourselves. Get on the front foot, be on the front foot, win second balls. The part of the game that people seem to have some sort of disdain for but still exists.
"The football club here has been used to 4-3-3 for quite some considerable time for quite a number of years as well. If we're going to get the best out of our best players then we're gong to have to find another way.
"We went 4-4-2 in the second half. That deprives you for the extra player in the middle of the field but it was worth risking.
"It's taken a little bit of time."
FT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
As a neutral (English) observer, a question for Celtic fans:- Are you happy to dominate domestically but fall short in Europe? Do you have more ambition than to just hoover up Scottish titles.
Geoff
FT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer on Sportsound
Martin O'Neill sounded tired.
I think his players are tired and overthinking everything. There's a lot to fix.
FT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
Stiliyan Petrov
Former Celtic midfielder on TNT Sports
It's not Martin O'Neill's style.
It's too slow at the moment. If you ask me honestly if that's the style Martin O'Neill plays, definitely not.
FT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
More from Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "It's a huge frustration, obviously, but it's also psychologically quite damning as well.
"Just when you've fought your way back into the game and you think, well if you can't with the minute the fourth official puts up, at least defend it properly and we didn't do that. That was really disappointing.
"It's not the start we wanted. We have seven games in which to try and get some points on the board. Really need to concentrate now on Sunday [against Rangers].
"Tonight was I think a European lesson for us in many aspects. We'll get ourselves together. We need to re-energise ourselves as much as anything else.
"When we have decent possession of the ball, just don't give it away. But also I think taking a few risks as well too - risks in the proper areas of the field."
Image source, SNSFT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "Well, we're naturally disappointed getting beaten. We started off very, very brightly. We had a number of balls that were flashed across the goal and no-one there to put the ball in the net for us.
"They're first attempt, proper attempt, really, on goal yielded a goal for them. We come back into the game, got the equaliser just before half-time and then conceded a really poor goal.
"We're hit on the break for the third goal. While we had a number of balls flashed across the box even in the last 20 minutes, we didn't get there to the front post a number of times that could've kept it alive and we're beaten in the game."
Image source, SNSQuotes from Martin O'Neill coming up next.
FT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
It's only fair to point out the same Celtic management team stepped into a binfire twice last season and put it out on both occassions to deliver knockout European football and a league and cup double.
They came up with solutions then, and will need to do so now.
FT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
The club needs a full overhaul, very disappointing results.
Alexander
O'Neill, Maloney and Fotheringham's record in our past three big ties? P-3, W-0, L-3, F-2, A-11. Time to go. We need a REAL management team - not clueless stooges for the Board!
Mark
Celtic should double Neil Lennon's salary and get him in to coach this team and tighten them up.
Neil
Very disappointing night. No desire shown. I’m dreading Sunday!
Mark
FT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Sportsound
The shape hasn't changed. They still line-up in a 4-3-3, a variation of it.
I can see a lack of confidence, absolutely. I can see a lack of urgency and intensity.
At times it was slow and ponderous and laboured. I don't think they look tired or unfit. I just don't think they play with enough tempo in their game. It's all in front of Ferencvaros, there's nothing in behind.
Camilo Duran, when the ball came up to him, didn't stick. Kasper Hogh comes on alongside him, when the ball came up to him, it didn't stick. When it comes up, it's a basic to be able to control the ball and find a team-mate.
Too many wayward passes, too many safe passes, which brings a bit of tension and then you don't see a team playing with that freedom.
Image source, SNSFT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
Stiliyan Petrov
Former Celtic midfielder on TNT Sports
When you have your centre-backs making more passes than your midfielders, you can't dominate.
Tonight, Celtic were playing safe. When did Celtic start playing with fear?
FT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
Celtic captain Callum McGregor tells TNT Sports: "[It was] Tough. They scored at good times. It's a sore one but we have to stick together now.
"It's a little bit broken, a little bit nervy, but we have to fight our way through this. The only way through it is hard work.
"It's a tough period. You can see how quickly it comes down on top of you. It's a relatively new group, so we have to learn. You don't get much leeway.
"The ultimate test at the weekend is that we have to win the game. It's about staying together, putting one foot in front of another and we just need another bit of luck."
Image source, SNSFT: Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros
The stats are not the most damning, but another 14 shots conceded for Celtic.
Captain Callum McGregor has said their performances are a bit "broken" and "nervy". More from him shortly.
Image source, SNS
Celtic looked to have got themselves level going into the break, only to concede a second goal almost immediately
The clouds around Celtic darkened further as they followed Old Firm defeat with a loss in their Europa League opener against Ferencvaros.
For the second game running, Martin O'Neill's side conceded three times and looked fragile throughout - just as they did in their last European game against LASK in the Champions League qualifiers.
Despite a bright start, the Scottish champions were ruthlessly punished for slack defending, as strikes from Bamidele Yusuf, Kristoffer Zachariassen and former Celtic winger Daniel Arzani gave their Hungarian visitors victory.
Mika Baur had briefly levelled just before the interval but Celtic's deficiencies were laid bare, conceding almost instantly to hand back the advantage.
Changes in personnel and shape made little impact on the outcome and leaves Celtic's Europa League campaign already looking badly damaged. Sterner tests lie ahead, with a trip to Portugal to face Benfica next.
The nature of Sunday's League Cup defeat by Rangers brought significant scrutiny and criticism. A reaction was demanded and O'Neill made four changes.
Initially, things looked good. James Forrest caused problems down the left and Ferencvaros looked on the back foot. But goals change games and this was a prime example with Celtic's fragility brutally exposed.
Against the run of play, Yusuf cut in from the left, whipped toward the back post, and Liam Scales could only help the ball into the far corner. It was a cheap concession.
Baur, celebrating a first call-up for Germany, finished off a fine move to level on the stroke of half-time but, within seconds, Celtic had allowed Zachariassen to flick in amongst static defenders.
O'Neill changed shape at the break. Kasper Hogh joined Duran up front. But almost immediately, Celtic were further behind.
Scales' loose pass was punished by Arzani, who produced an outstanding finish. A dream moment for him after an injury-ravaged Celtic spell.
There was no route back into the game, Benjamin Nygren coming closest, and Celtic's bad week got worse, with the prospect of Rangers at home on Sunday looming large.
The good part for Celtic was the start. Full of attacking intent with Forrest central to it down the left. Tempo, intensity, control and no little skill.
The bad came defensively, again. One of a number of concerns was how many self-inflicted errors caused havoc.
There is clear evidence to support the idea that Celtic are incredibly fragile at the back. The answers to solve that don't seem obvious.
At this level, they were ruthlessly exposed. Imagine the scenes against potential Champions League opponents had they got there? O'Neill's side didn't get there for similar reasons.
There was so much focus on what Celtic's line-up would be. The four changes didn't really work. A change of shape at the break was undermined by Arzani's goal.
Celtic pressed on but it was too little too late. New signings, in the main, just haven't stepped up in these big games. That's a concern.
O'Neill's magic touch seems to have deserted him in these big moments and the questions will now get sharper.
Just what is Celtic's preferred starting XI? Or the best shape and system to maximise the talent they have, while providing stability at the back?
There are any number of solutions required ahead of Rangers' visit on Sunday or a similar outcome to last week may follow.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "We're naturally disappointed. We started off very, very brightly. We had a number of balls that were flashed across the goal and no-one there to put the ball in the net for us.
"Their first proper attempt yielded a goal for them. We come back into the game, got the equaliser just before half-time and then conceded a really poor goal.
"We're hit on the break for the third goal. While we had a number of balls flashed across the box even in the last 20 minutes, we didn't get there to the front post a number of times that could've kept it alive and we're beaten in the game."
'European lesson' - O'Neill
Celtic captain Callum McGregor: "It's a sore one but we have to stick together now. It's a little bit broken, a little bit nervy, but we have to fight our way through this. The only way through it is hard work.
"It's a tough period. You can see how quickly it comes down on top of you. It's a relatively new group, so we have to learn. You don't get much leeway.
"The ultimate test at the weekend is that we have to win the game. It's about staying together, putting one foot in front of another and we just need another bit of luck."
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| |
3 Sparta Prague | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
|
4 Beşiktaş | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
|
5 Union Saint-Gilloise | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
|
6 Ferencváros | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|
7 Benfica | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
9 OFI Crete | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
12 Torreense | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
13 Olympiakos | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
14 Red Bull Salzburg | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
15 Omonia Nicosia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
17 Dinamo Zagreb | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
18 Hapoel Be'er Sheva | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
20 Sturm Graz | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
21 Jagiellonia Białystok | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
22 Anderlecht | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
23 Lillestrøm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
25 AZ Alkmaar | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
26 Celta Vigo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
27 Levski Sofia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
30 Celje | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
| |
33 Ararat-Armenia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
34 Viktoria Plzeň | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
35 Lech Poznań | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
|
36 NEC Nijmegen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
|
Manager:Martin O'Neill
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Balázs Borbély
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Martin O'Neill
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Balázs Borbély
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
UEFA Europa League
All competitions
All competitions
Celtic’s only previous encounter with Ferencváros in major European competition came in the group stages of the 2021-22 UEFA Europa League, with the Scottish side winning 2-0 at home and 3-2 away.
Celtic haven’t drawn any of their last 22 home matches in the UEFA Europa League since a 2-2 draw with Fenerbahçe in October 2015 (W11 L11), losing three of their last five on home soil.
Ferencváros have only lost one of their last nine group games in the UEFA Europa League (W5 D3), losing 0-4 at Nottingham Forest in their final group match of 2025-26.
Six of Ferencváros’ 17 goals in the UEFA Europa League last season came via crosses, the most of any side.
Celtic’s Callum McGregor has played 74 times in major European competition for the club, the most of any player in Celtic’s history. He could become the fifth Scotsman with 75+ games in Europe, after Allan McGregor (78), Billy Bremner (76), David Narey (76), and Kenny Dalglish (75).
