- 11 hours ago
Coverage of the league phase match from Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. The visitors are currently occupying 24th place in the table at the moment and will looking to give themselves a chance of at least making it into the play-off picture with a victory here. Their hosts are faring better in 13th place right now and a victory would help their chances of finishing in the top eight
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TVTranscript
00:00Thanks very much Emma, good evening everyone. In this madcap season of
00:07emotional extremes, Celtic return to the European trail in the north of Italy at
00:12this famous footballing theatre. A positive result on this penultimate league phase match day
00:18would provide a giant leap towards qualification for the knockout rounds.
00:23With the disastrous reign of Wilfried Nancy curtailed, the guiding hand of Martin O'Neill
00:28will steer Celtic through the fire and brimstone of Stadio Renata Dallara,
00:32a shuddering bastion of the Italian game, albeit home to a Bologna side who are not
00:38hitting the same heights of the past two seasons. Against the backdrop of simmering discontent
00:43between fanbase and boards, against Lewis Ferguson and his warriors from Italy, the urgent need for
00:49January reinforcements and the all-consuming pressure that simply never eases at this giant
00:55football club. This is a week of enormous significance to Celtic,
01:00in which Europa League qualification can be secured and the gap at the top of the Scottish
01:05Premiership narrowed. It begins here in Bologna with this Italian conquest.
01:20Celtic
01:29Celtic will
01:32Celtic will harbour positive memories of Martin O'Neill's previous Europa League tie in charge
01:49when they went to Rotterdam and came from behind to sink Feyenoord.
01:53Can this wiliest of footballing brains inspire another bout of European heroics from his hoops tonight?
02:02Bologna not in top form of late, just one victory in their past nine matches, somewhat bizarrely, struggling here in particular.
02:09The Europa League however, they're unbeaten in five and eleven places above Celtic.
02:14Vincenzo Italiano renowned for making mass changes and so it proves tonight with seven alterations to his eleven.
02:20Scotland's Lewis Ferguson installed as captain and veteran goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski is back from injury.
02:26Top scorer Riccardo Orsolini is benched for this one and with Santiago Castro ill, it's Dutch international Tijs de Linga who leads the line with Dominguez and Roe at either side of him.
02:38Great Italian striker Siri Mogheri by the way, not part of the Bologna Europa League squad, ineligible for this one.
02:45But certainly a team with the weaponry to hurt Celtic for all their recent travails.
02:52Kasper Schmeichel one of those restored to Celtic starting eleven tonight, great match for the 39 year olds.
03:00Osiris Fotias, the man in the middle tonight, heading up a team of all Greek officials.
03:05His second match involving a Scottish club this season.
03:08They've taken charge of Rangers three and a loss to Bran three months ago.
03:14Two men who know each other very well, who have vied for Scotland positions over the years.
03:19Kyle McGregor now retired of course, but we'll know all too well the challenge.
03:23Lewis Ferguson and his team face tonight.
03:26Much of the Celtic selection discourse to take them on surrounding the right back position.
03:30And Martin Neil back in the form of teenager Colby Donovan, ahead of the experience of Tony Ralston.
03:35Engels and Hatati support McGregor in the midfield three.
03:38Dyson Maeda deployed as the central striker, rather than Johnny Kenny.
03:42The Irishman among the substitutes tonight, as his leading goal scorer of Sweden, Benjamin Negrin.
03:52Around two and a half thousand Celtic fans have made the trip to the Stadio Renata de Lara tonight.
03:58And they enjoy the sights, the sounds, and give their backing, empty their lungs.
04:05As Callum McGregor issues the final battle cry.
04:08They're almost ready to go.
04:20A night of massive significance for Celtic.
04:22They can take something, anything from this venue.
04:25What a boon, what a shot in the arm it would be as they chase Europa League qualification.
04:36The Coppa Italia winners and the Scottish champions in front of 30,000 here in this iconic arena.
04:43It's the first time Celtic have played here in Bologna, chasing their first victory on Italian soil.
04:49It's that glorious Olivier and Cham goal against Lazio.
04:522-1 victory back in 2019.
04:55Neil Lennon in the dugout for that one.
04:58It's Bologna's side falling below expectations the past few months.
05:02Beaten by Fiorentina on Saturday despite enjoying the lion's share of possession.
05:06Passes corners and shots, mid-table in Serie A, but still with Pedigree dotted across their squad.
05:15Cenzio Italiano, slightly cruel nickname in these parts, so Piccolo Pep, a little Pep.
05:20By his critics who say he's too much of a proponent of the Guardiola possession-based blueprints.
05:27Bologna looking to spread it early to the Englishman.
05:30Jonathan Rowe playing on the right rather than his favoured left flag tonight.
05:36Martin Meele has called for heart and soul for his Celtic players.
05:40How do you assess where this team is at mentally after such a hectic season, Joe?
05:45It's been chaos. Good evening, everyone.
05:48Really excited for tonight, first and foremost, a great opportunity for this Celtic team.
05:52But it's been a real roller coaster, hasn't it, Jamie?
05:54So many ups and downs and speaking to the players before the game, you can tell they've affected.
05:58They've been affected, you can tell they're disappointed with their part to play in it,
06:02there's no getting away from it, they've not performed well as a team,
06:04not hit the levels that they used to, but hopefully a little bit of continuity now.
06:09Everything can calm down and they can start to really assert themselves in Europe,
06:13and of course that big one on Sunday in the league.
06:16Yeah, that seismic visit to Tyne Castle on Sunday certainly will be looming large on Celtic's horizon,
06:23six points adrift of the league leaders from Gorghi at the moment.
06:27Still a lot of football to be played in this, even for Scottish football, truly bonkers campaign so far.
06:37Excited to see how this game developed as well.
06:39Every single one of them was talking about the man-for-man press that this Bologna side played.
06:44Can Celtic keep composed on the road like they did that Rotterdam game that we talked about a couple of,
06:49well, a few months ago now.
06:51The man-for-man press was enough for them when they played against Roma at home,
06:54that was a really disappointing night.
06:57As football always does, it gives you another opportunity.
06:59And Gorghi has his pocket picked by Tommaso Probega, Bologna looking to spring on the counter,
07:06Dominguez, nice footwork from the Argentine, not such a nice cross.
07:12Yeah, there's just an example, dynamic team, turning it over, attacking.
07:18No doubt about it, they're going to have to ride a little bit of a storm tonight.
07:26Martin O'Neill knows all about that, that kind of European being strong, being resolute,
07:32sticking together and building into the game.
07:34Celtic have at last stirred in the transfer market,
07:38the loan signing of Czech international striker Tomáš Svanchara announced earlier today after much
07:43speculation.
07:44It's not Martin O'Neill telling us this week a target man despite his 6'3'' stature.
07:50Light, agile, aggressive in possession, eager to make his mark, Scottish champions.
07:56One from inside the corridors of power, our understanding is that Celtic are looking for
08:00at least three additions in this window.
08:03Where else, Stuart, do you think they're going to turn their attentions to?
08:07Obviously, goals are so important, there's been no getting away from the fact that since
08:11Kyogo went, Adam Ida went, he's not been replaced.
08:14Diza Maeda scored all his goals and was so effective.
08:18Obviously, when I was there, I loved having him coming, playing off the left,
08:22almost having to sacrifice himself a little bit playing up front,
08:25which he always will as a team man.
08:28Goals, Celtic's all about goals.
08:30The way you've just described the guy they've took on loan there,
08:33that's what this crowd all want to see.
08:38It's Jonathan Rowe, summer signing from Marseille,
08:41seem to part the French club under a bit of a cloud, reports of a
08:45training ground bust up right under the nose of the sporting director, which
08:49led to his rather hasty departure from the Liga outfit.
08:54Schmeichel scooping it forwards, and Celtic almost playing themselves into trouble,
09:02Probega again, matches onto all those scraps at the base of the Bologna midfield.
09:06Nadir Zortea deployed it right back today, preferred to Emil Holm in that position,
09:17Swedish international, seven and a half million euro fee from Kylie Rae in the summer.
09:21First game tonight since November for Skorupski, he's cuffed it up, Maeda and the goal for Celtic!
09:35The Japanese duel feasting on Bologna's mistakes, and Celtic in dreamland in Italy,
09:48Real Hattati slides them in front, and it's green and white bedlam in Bologna.
09:54Brilliant, great turnover, cool, calm, Skorupski, he's getting a huge round of applause when he
10:02made his return to this team, but this is a moment he'll want to forget, just looking to chop it back,
10:07get through the lines, Maeda's not even pressing him, he's always putting that press on, always
10:12people under pressure, finally takes a rest, probably having a moment to himself, and he passes
10:17it straight to him, cool and composed, doesn't panic, lovely ball, Hattati, one nil,
10:24dream start for Celtic. The Martin O'Neill's head hit the pillow last night, he can scarcely have
10:29envisaged a better start, a more gift-wrapped opportunity for his team to seize the advantage,
10:36Maeda again is going to be too quick for Hegem, oh is that a foul, the referee takes a long look,
10:42Maeda gets up and plays on, Yang working hard, blasting across, and Skorupski saves it onto the bar,
10:50what a blistering 90 seconds for Celtic. Goodness me, Skorupski, he's actually got himself,
10:58he's dug himself out of a hole there, he's gone down far too early, a really interesting first
11:03couple of minutes in his comeback, but he's made the save, do you know what, doesn't matter as a
11:06goalkeeper, make a mistake, you've got to react, you've got to recover. I'll tell you what, it was worth a
11:12look, thought Maeda was getting manhandled on the edge of the box, Celtic are all over Bologna.
11:17First corner of the night, and it will be Arne Ingles, 11 million pound man to swing it in.
11:28Skorupski will come under pressure here, Trosti at the front post, Maeda looking at the back,
11:41and scales, almost towing it in at the far stick. Skorupski again looking to play out, Bologna,
11:54once more playing a bit faster than Leafs at the back here, Joe.
11:56I think we've got an interesting night ahead, haven't we?
12:02This is very much their style of play under Vicenzo Italiano, they delivered the Coppa Italia
12:07last season, first major trophy for the club in over 50 years,
12:12but it can present problems like that when the distribution's lacking.
12:19Yeah, I'm just slipping on the pitch, my untrained eye, I can tell I've been away from the game a
12:23while, I was saying to the Celtic boys for the game, pitch looks lovely, it looked to me like I was
12:27mental, so it's absolutely terrible out there. It's another ambitious pass which
12:33Cinecti is in pursuit of for Celtic, and it's the Glaswegian voices who are the loudest inside
12:40this 30,000 seater arena tonight. They don't need much encouragement but this Bologna team and the
12:46way Celtic have started, it's only going to get louder.
12:53Bologna again making life very uncomfortable for this
13:03Bologna defence, Hegem got out of it well, but Yang steps in and that brings a huge roar from
13:09a few Celtic fans who are in amongst the home punters down beneath us.
13:13Celtics, the way they've set up to press has been excellent, they're shutting off all the angles,
13:17you'll see Bologna players having to chop back, chop back, because they will not go long.
13:32Engels tussling with Bobega, Italian international midfielder,
13:36Celtic will win the throw.
13:38First look at Miranda's long throw, they use that as a real good counter-attacking weapon.
13:45What a night for young Colby Donovan, seared into a prominent view at the start of the season,
14:01with a brilliant display in Belgrade, he's actually deployed at left back,
14:06in that heavily rotated Celtic team that put nothing like Talbot out of the Scottish Cup on the weekends,
14:11he's preferred to Anthony Ralston tonight, Alistair Johnston, one of several high-profile
14:18injury-related absentees in the Celtic squad, Cameron Carter-Vicker still a long way from fitness,
14:23Jota likewise, Iheanacho returning to training this week but not risked for this particular match,
14:30Hyde again, what a nuisance he is.
14:33They can't get comfy with this Celtic press, so many times already getting caught on the ball,
14:38under strict instruction, they can't go long.
14:50Rowe looking to find the run of Ferguson from midfield, scales cut it out, still alive here for Bologna.
14:56Jonathan Rowe.
15:02Morrow dictates play for the home team, Rowe's continued his run, Gregor tracking him back there.
15:13Tunechti doing the defensive work and now Tierney looking to spring Celtic away,
15:17back to the Tunisian, Tierney continues ahead.
15:20Tunechti coming off under pressure, deal with the danger.
15:30And Tierney buys the foul.
15:37Yeah, good first bit of pressure, Celtic playing out, looking comfortable on the ball.
15:42They know they're going to get pressed hard tonight,
15:43have they got the answers that Bologna have so far struggled with?
15:52Schmeichel going long, looking for Xinjiang.
16:13Not afraid to go long early in these opening exchanges, Joe, is that a surprise to you?
16:24No, not at all, they're going to look to beat the press, just looking at the movement of Dyson Maeda,
16:28I think he'll sometimes drop in to create that gap for Yang to play in the middle,
16:32you'll see runs from Tunechti and Yang covering that Maeda position.
16:38Skrupski again looking a little tentative, behind the imposing figure of Thijs Dalinga,
16:43and he's starting up front for Bologna tonight, Celtic again hunting in packs and
16:48coming up with the ball.
16:50McGregor snapping in to dispossess Roe, that brings a cheer from the Celtic contingent.
16:57The moment it's Celtic who look the better drill, the hungrier, certainly winning the early tactical
17:02skirmishes. Hatati carrying injuries for much of the season, not been at his best.
17:16Can he provide more of what we know, what we expect from him in this crucial final half of the campaign?
17:22This is a real night for his quality, because he is not afraid when someone presses him, he's got so
17:26much ability to take it round people, little one-touch passes round the corner. If he's on it tonight,
17:32Celtic will tick.
17:42Morrow dropping back into the centre half position,
17:44Matati making life uncomfortable for him, Tierney stepping in, angles to Yang,
17:51Yang sees the space on the left, Tunechti cuts in on the right foot, McGregor raised an arm to receive it,
17:58Tierney gets the cross in early.
18:15Hatati on the half turn, Ferguson takes it off him, and the foul is given Celtic's way, much to the frustration of those around us.
18:22Yeah, just nix it in, probably gets the ball, you take those decisions in European games,
18:33just, Bologna look like the architects of their own downfall at the moment, total football, refusing to go
18:38long, refusing to skip the lines, just don't look confident, rhythm's not there, Celtic have started really well.
18:44Celtic have started really well.
18:58It's Tierney, Maeda dropping deep to receive, backing into Hegem.
19:05He's taking a blow to the face there, Dyson Maeda, just copped on in the eye.
19:19He'll be lucky not to concede a foul as well.
19:35That is, remember, a bumper night of Europa League football across our channels on TNT.
19:41We're in Portugal for Braga's match against Nottingham Forest, 7.45 on TNT Sports 1,
19:47and we're at Ibrox, and we're at the team bringing you Rangers against Ludogretz, 7.45pm on TNT Sports 2.
19:53Celtic's performance, certainly getting under the skin of the locals here,
20:03McGregor again, turning the ball over.
20:06Tati may have been caught late, McGregor may have been offside, he was.
20:10In terms of devising this tactical plan, Joe, how influential will Sean Maloney have been?
20:24There's so much of the opposition analysis, the scouting, the recruitment,
20:28a lot of that falls onto him at the moment under the guidance of Martin O'Neill.
20:32Yeah, no doubt about it, and I think obviously Martin's always going to have the final say.
20:36I think as far as the coaching-wise and the day-to-day work, Sean Maloney's going to play a key role in that,
20:41no getting away from it, Martin's been out of the game a little bit longer than he'd like to be,
20:44but he's an excellent man-manager, just his whole presence, everything about him,
20:48has just brought a real essence of calm, a real essence of Celtic about them, that winning mentality,
20:53and that's where he's going to play his key role.
20:55Celtic still playing without Mayra here, and Bologna into the box,
20:59and the shot well blocked by Kasper Schmeichel, smothered at the near post from Zortea.
21:06Yeah, we're going to get good moments, you know, they're talented footballers,
21:09and when it works you get this sort of sharp interchange, Celtic back in numbers,
21:13comfortable save for Schmeichel at the near post.
21:16Yang's done well to draw the foul from Miranda on this near side,
21:21and Celtic can get Dyson Maeda back on the pitch.
21:28Didn't play a single minute under Martin O'Neill when he was here for his first interim spell,
21:31Junjun Yang, one of the few players seem to be giving themselves some favours under the reign of Wilfrid Nancy,
21:37albeit in a less familiar position.
21:40Maeda again is going to be a problem for these Bologna defenders when Celtic do play in behind.
21:46Schmeichel, Hatate, who took his eye off that, here's De Linga, dummies one, and a heroic challenge from the captain,
22:09Callum McGregor with his body on the line.
22:14Brilliant tackle from Callum McGregor, Schmeichel wraps it into Hatate,
22:18he's too concerned about the man marking him, just as he's about to pull the trigger.
22:22McGregor never gives it up, that right foot just getting toes on it.
22:26That's that press from Bologna, they almost set the trap, invited the pass into Hatate, nicked it off him,
22:35they were in on goal.
22:38Juan Miranda takes Bologna's first corner, in it comes.
22:42Celtic get it away to the edge of the box.
22:45Back in again, and De Linga this time on a block from Trusty.
22:50More last-ditch defending from the Scots.
22:53Miranda gets away from Jain, sends it towards the back post,
23:00Rose waiting, De Linga's waiting, and the upshot is a Bologna corner.
23:06Just up the tempo, haven't they? That tiny little bit.
23:09See this coming, brilliant block from Trusty.
23:13Makes up the ground, just as it sits, doesn't quite.
23:17Great commitment from the American.
23:19Just rocking, like I said, they're going to have these moments,
23:24Celtic are not a perfect team, got to dig in.
23:30Deeper corner this time, De Linga rolls for it,
23:33Jan completes the clearance.
23:34Celtic have been especially suspect at set pieces this season.
23:41Also with Wilfried Nonsi in the dugout, they're under Martin O'Neill.
23:46Dug themselves out well there.
23:48Here comes the pressure again.
23:50Rowe against Tierney.
23:51Double up on him, but Rowe's got past Tierney and Atate.
23:54Bursting into the box, what pays from Rowe, and cleared away by Donovan,
23:59with the goal gaping.
24:02Moro, away from Mayra.
24:06Can feel the tempo rising, the temperature rising inside the stadium.
24:10Miranda with space to work in.
24:12Teasing delivery.
24:13He's going to come back to him from Trusty.
24:15Jan can't get it away.
24:17Norcan Donovan.
24:20Deinca Dominguez, can't keep it in.
24:23That's more like it from Bologna.
24:25Celtic withstanding that pressure.
24:29Oh, that was electric from Jonathan Rowe.
24:31See there.
24:32Sucks Atate in, Tierney.
24:34So sharp, so, so sharp.
24:37Just couldn't quite provide the finishing touch.
24:41Colby Donovan, good positioning, centre of the goal.
24:45He's attracted so many players to him.
24:54Donovan again looking for Maeda to...
24:57just be a pest up there.
24:58Engels winning the second ball.
25:00Now Hattate can play.
25:02Maeda ahead of him, Yang making tracks.
25:04Engels flicked it round the corner.
25:06And Miranda can mop it up for Bologna.
25:15Just a real test for Celtic from a mentality point of view.
25:17There was no doubt about it.
25:18Under Wilfrid Nancy they had good moments.
25:20You know, they had real good opportunities in games when they could build on it.
25:24But it seemed like every time they got rattled, they fell to pieces.
25:27At the moment Bologna are on the front foot.
25:30Can Celtic ride it out?
25:32Celtic just sleeping a bit there.
25:33Dominguez into Dalinga.
25:36The Dutchman crowded out.
25:37Iranda looking early for the Argentine Dominguez.
25:45Young 22-year-old.
25:46No foul given.
25:50And Donovan clears.
25:56Maeda put it straight into the throat of Arna Engels.
25:58Celtic will survive this little onslaught.
26:01This feels like a really crucial part in the game for Celtic, Joe.
26:04Yeah, it really does.
26:05I do love Donovan's attitude, you know.
26:07If you have all the talent in the world but you haven't got the desire,
26:10the work rate, the want to go into 50-50 battles and come out on top.
26:14He's certainly got that.
26:22Scales couldn't risk leaving that at the expense of a corner.
26:28Big favourite of Mark O'Neill's, Liam Scales.
26:33He struggled just with the number of metres, the distances he had to cover
26:38and we could notice his system.
26:43Love Liam Scales, came to the club over from Ireland,
26:46wasn't quite sure where he fitted under my tenure,
26:49he was on loan at Aberdeen, probably looking to go there.
26:51Came back, he was absolutely brilliant, proper defender.
26:55Iranda's corner, on top of Schmeichel, and the Dane has to palm over.
27:02There's a naughty one, looked like it was just dropping under the bar.
27:08Schmeichel adjusted his feet, took the safe option.
27:13Nicola Moro, the Croatian international, set free's move to the edge.
27:27And Schmeichel smothers it.
27:32That's a good save, that's three bodies.
27:34Referee does really well actually, he's not expecting it.
27:38Oh, you're delighted when they stick.
27:40Brilliant from Schmeichel.
27:41Maida again on the turn, this time he can't get past Hegem.
27:45Dominguez, but Yang is there.
27:47Doing the dirty side of the game well.
27:49He's really improved with that, Yang.
27:53He really embraced the physical side of football when he came over.
27:58Had all the talent in the world.
28:00Sharp, looking to do tricks.
28:02He's learnt the hard way.
28:04Fits in well in the Celtic team.
28:06Pan-Mirandoff, product of the famous La Masia, Barcelona youth system.
28:32Volpega under pressure, can't keep it in play.
28:37What do you see that midfield battle shaping up, Joe?
28:40It's kind of like for like, man for man in there at the moment.
28:42Yeah, it's all going to be about your first touch.
28:44Can you get people round you? Can you knock it off? Can you bounce past?
28:47Or if you do get it under control on this bubbly pitch?
28:51Because you're going to have physical contact all evening.
28:55Donovan thumps into the back of Dominguez, again embracing that physicality.
29:02And that's not a vintage pass from Nadir Zostea.
29:07Yeah, they just don't look comfortable when they've got to go long.
29:15No foul on Atate.
29:17Ferguson leaves it for Morrow.
29:19Oh, they might have been taken out after the play. He was.
29:22Yeah, that's what I was talking about. In that battle in midfield, you've got to expect contact, but you can't fear it.
29:27I think Atate's just been a bit hesitant two times now, he's been expecting contact, worried about it.
29:33You've got to embrace it nights like this.
29:35Think about your first touch, think about your pass.
29:38Canna McGregor shows you what it's like to go into a tackle.
29:42It's a sign of how reliant Celtic are upon the captain.
29:47Played over 80 minutes down at Auchan Lake Tambor in Ayrshire in that cup tie.
29:51But the only player that wasn't rotated out for that match.
29:54And you never will, especially in a time like this when a little bit of an identity crisis,
30:00that man lets you know what it is to play for Celtic.
30:05Morrow goes short to Rowe, up against Mayra and Tunecti.
30:12Rowe digs out the cross, Dalinga was waiting, Dominguez recovers it.
30:17Morrow, Sortea was wanting it, there it is.
30:22Sortea from distance, it's not troubling Schmeichel.
30:32See Callum McGregor clapping tonight, can't get that one out tonight.
30:37But anyway, appreciating his efforts, closing down, making it as difficult as you possibly can.
30:43No getting away from it.
30:45It's going to be a battle, especially when that ball drops.
30:48It's going to be a battle, especially when that ball drops.
31:01Maida again.
31:03Skrubski doesn't look too comfortable with the ball on his feet tonight.
31:06Maida with a late challenge, and the referee is going to bring it back
31:09to Brook, the Japanese striker.
31:12It's like these teams don't watch Celtic in Europe, Dyson Maida is an absolute threat.
31:19You cannot dally on the ball.
31:21And as you say, Skrubski just doesn't look comfortable tonight coming back into the team.
31:26Yeah, it is a yellow card, just caught him late there.
31:31But his endeavour, his energy, you just cannot dally on the ball.
31:35Do you like him in that number nine position, Joe?
31:40He scored a boatload of goals in that less familiar position last season, 30-plus for Celtic.
31:45Hasn't perhaps looked as comfortable there since.
31:48Do you like him on nights like this? Is this where he's most effective as a nine?
31:51I'd prefer him coming in off the left, if honest, with an established centre-forward in front of him.
31:57But at the moment in this squad I prefer him playing as a nine, of course I do.
32:00You know, he's such a great player to have in this team.
32:05But loose from Yang that time, Yang then closes the door firmly on Dominguez.
32:15And Celtic look to break, Scales quickly finding Tierney.
32:19Two neck two ahead of him.
32:35Tierney again, having a run at Roe.
32:41And he'll draw the...
32:44the throw-in, if not the foul.
32:54We'll be parking the Europa League and all the UEFA competitions over the next couple of days.
32:58We'll return our attentions to domestic matters in the English Premier League.
33:01Returning to our screens, Sunday lunchtime.
33:0411 o'clock kick-off.
33:06West Ham United against Sunderland live on TNT Sports 1.
33:16I like the energy of the game.
33:18They say you cannot rest, you've got to be ready for a physical contact.
33:22No one's going above.
33:27Lots of pressure, first touch, quality is being questioned out there.
33:34It feels so far like a very Martin O'Neill performance.
33:37Harking back to the days when Celtic went toe-to-toe and they carved out those mega results
33:42around the turn of the millennium with all the talent that he had at his disposal.
33:46He's getting the most out of his players tonight, no question.
33:53Yeah, he really is, like I say, gifted that goal early on.
33:56A little bit of pressure and then they've been under it since.
33:58They've been mauling up for the battle.
34:06Miranda would be a dream in the Premier League at the moment with that long throw.
34:10Be queuing up for him.
34:12This time it's back to Hegem.
34:22And Moro again dropping deep to receive.
34:25Casale, the former Lazio centre-back, and then Roe set upon by Kieran Tierney.
34:31He steamrolls him, takes the ball.
34:33McGregor over the top, the searching ball for Hattati.
34:37He'll get onto this for Celtic.
34:39Tunekti alongside, touch a little heavy.
34:44And Lewis Ferguson looking to move Klay in the other direction.
34:47Hattati having a nibble at him.
34:49And that's a very clear cup foul.
34:51And it's the second booking of the night for Celtic.
34:54And this time for Rio Hattati, the goalscorer.
34:59Yeah, probably just getting his own back for a few whacks that he's took in the first half.
35:03He'll be walking a little bit of a tightrope.
35:07He wasn't letting him get away there, was he?
35:09Saw that name, Ferguson, on his back, and gave him one.
35:16He's played Celtic 16 times, Lewis Ferguson, much publicised that this week.
35:20He has never beaten the team in green and white.
35:24Did score against them seven times.
35:26Hamilton Academical and Aberdeen have yet to finish on the right end of a result.
35:32Jonathan Rowe, seen flashes of his quality today.
35:37Morrow, spreading it for Dominguez.
35:43Sizing up Yang, takes the ball in, Ferguson's waiting,
35:46and Rowe on the volley, scales away.
35:50Tunecti awkwardly stabs clear.
35:55Zortea picks it up for Bologna.
35:57Ferguson on the overlap, towards De Linga, and Trusty's there again.
36:01Another big moment from the American.
36:05Yeah, the centre-half partnership, the two big interventions.
36:08First scales, near Trusty, throwing himself in front of bodies.
36:12It's nearly awkward as he took that deflection off Tierney.
36:23Fifth corner for Bologna.
36:25Rowe on the angle.
36:29Morrow.
36:30Gregor will block it out.
36:31Enjoying Jonathan Rowe tonight.
36:32It's a real threat.
36:34I think that's going to be a great battle with him and Kieran Tierney.
36:36I haven't won a match here since November, Bologna.
36:41It's an extraordinary wait for victory, given the quality they have,
36:46given the pedigree they have.
36:48Morrow's delivery.
36:49Maeda away.
36:51Miranda!
36:52Was travelling.
36:54And it takes a couple of nicks.
36:55Trusty and Donovan putting it wide.
36:57Just comes to on the half-volley.
37:02Strikes it clean.
37:04Oh, what a strike.
37:06Brilliant from Trusty again.
37:09Body on the line.
37:11Celtic are rocking.
37:15Love strikes like that.
37:16Just watching them rise as he hits it on the half-volley.
37:18It would have felt so sweet off that left foot.
37:20The aerial bombardment on Celtic's box continues.
37:29Miranda, whose shot was diverted wide, goes short with this one.
37:34Dominguez, one-on-one with Hatate, who bit in and did his job.
37:39And now McGregor can get rid for Celtic.
37:42Hatate's got to be careful here.
37:43He's involved in a coming together, and the referee's going to his pocket.
37:48And Celtic shoot themselves in the foot.
37:52He's been bullied by the bench.
37:53He's been bullied by the Bologna bench there, the referee.
37:5733 minutes played.
37:59He scored the only goal.
38:01But in the space of three blistering minutes,
38:04Rayo Hatate's dismissed.
38:07And it's all spilling over down beneath us.
38:12Martin O'Neill is incandescent.
38:13I don't know, has he been sucked in?
38:20He's been sucked in by the little palm off there.
38:24You can't do that when you're on a yellow card.
38:26Martin O'Neill almost went nose-to-nose with Nicola Moro there.
38:33He thinks that Bologna have got this.
38:36I think they have to an extent, but at the same time...
38:39As soon as Miranda put his arm out, Hatate just got agitated.
38:45And it was right in front of the Bologna bench.
38:47He went wild.
38:48Of course they're going to go wild.
38:49They know full well he's on a yellow card.
38:54Interesting that they're showing this now.
38:56That was his good moment.
39:03Unfortunately he's had two really disappointing moments since then.
39:08How does Celtic reorganise here then?
39:11No sign yet of a...
39:14Of a sub being brought on.
39:15Callum McGregor's relaying the messages from Sean Maloney
39:17and the rest of the coaching staff.
39:20That's lit the touch paper.
39:21What does Celtic do tactically here?
39:23I think it will be very much everyone behind the ball with Dyson Maeda
39:31just looking to use all his energy, all his power, all his presence.
39:36Just not ideal with a big game Sunday.
39:39Going to have to play 60 odd minutes with added time here.
39:44Backs to the wall.
39:46The complexion of this match and the task facing Celtic
39:50changes in the blink of an eye.
39:51And a flash of Real Hatate's studs and the referee's red cards.
39:56And now Celtic will have to run and run some more.
40:00Jonathan Rowe sizing up two neck tape.
40:04This next ten minutes to get to half-time psychologically will be so important for Celtic.
40:09They will and I'm watching Dyson Maeda running round and pressing.
40:13You've got to remember he's on a yellow card as well.
40:16His commitment and the way that he works.
40:18If he's slightly off his press and he gets it wrong, Celtic are down to nine.
40:21I'm sure Martin O'Neill will know that.
40:23Quite limited in his options on the bench, Martin O'Neill, the likes of Luke McCown and Paolo Bernardo.
40:33In terms of midfielders, Dominguez, the teasing ball in, and then nodded over the top.
40:37Yeah, just feel like it's going to be wave upon wave now.
40:53It's going to have to be one of those nights, bodies on the line, it already has been in 11v11.
40:58It's going to be that much tougher now.
41:07Bobega outjumps Engels, Ferguson beats McGregor to it.
41:11Get the sense Celtic will be feeding off attacking scraps for the remainder of this match.
41:18But when Dyson Maeda is on the prowl, there's always a chance.
41:22We've seen that already tonight.
41:24Benjamin Negrin, by the way, is going through a warm-up down beneath us.
41:28It might be that Martin O'Neill will need to sacrifice an attacking player.
41:33Get Negrin on in the middle of the pitch.
41:41Moreau, dinking it to Miranda.
41:53Moreau again.
41:55Ferguson.
41:57And Roe.
41:59It's not like a profitable route for Bologna tonight.
42:01Away from Tunechti, Dalinga is in there, Dominguez too.
42:05The decisive touch carries it over the top for a goal kick.
42:08Just seeing in the aftermath here.
42:18Yeah, just confirming there was a booking to Martin O'Neill as well for his part and what followed the challenge.
42:26I think the referee's got the Hattati decision wrong, Joe.
42:30Look, at first view, I thought the bench had influenced it and he'd reacted.
42:34But when I see it again, I think just as the arm was offered out, Hattati just lost his head for a split second and made contact.
42:42Having just been booked, I don't think the referee had any other option.
42:48Do you need to ask questions of Hattati in that circumstance then, Joe?
42:52Experienced player, international player.
42:54He'd been booked already just a minute or two earlier.
42:56Do you want a calmer head from such a key man in Celtic's team?
43:00You really do, and I just think the moment Miranda put his arm out, that instinct just kicked in and he just wanted to protect himself and almost ended up getting stumbled across him.
43:12It was the perfect storm really for Miranda, he's played it really, really well.
43:16But it's just off the back of that.
43:18That Ferguson attacking didn't really need to happen, you know?
43:21But like I say, he'd been getting a few, he'd been getting whacked in midfield.
43:24Just looked like he lost his composure a little bit.
43:26Maida showing some interest here.
43:28And this will trickle out for a Celtic corner.
43:30Van Miranda, by the way, booked for that foul on Yang.
43:33It's been a card-happy opening 40 minutes this.
43:37The referee certainly set the tone in that regard.
43:42Yeah, felt it was always going to be the way.
43:51For a while since we've had our necks craned off to the right-hand side, where Celtic are attacking.
43:55Dini's going to have to take that again.
43:57Eight corners to one this evening, in favour of the home team.
44:12The only stat that matters though, is the one at the top left of your screen.
44:16Dini's corner, Maida goes down, and it falls in at the back post.
44:25And the goal will be given.
44:28And it's Austin Trusty.
44:30Heroic at one end.
44:32Scoring at the other.
44:34Celtic's American Eagle.
44:37Gives Martin O'Neill, and the Scottish champions, a real lead to defend now.
44:43A real lead to cling to.
44:45Beautiful ball in.
44:47Scale, Engels gets his head on it.
44:50And just reaching.
44:51Just hustles it over the line.
44:53Oh, goodness me.
44:56Just has to adjust that hip.
44:59Leaning back.
45:00It's miles over the line.
45:02Brilliant moment.
45:03He's had a top game in his own six-yard box.
45:06He's been making some big interceptions.
45:08And down in Bologna's six-yard box.
45:10Killer touch.
45:11Let's that away crowd know they're up for it.
45:16His only Celtic goal came a year ago.
45:18Against St. Mirren.
45:20January 2025.
45:24What a time to bag a second to double his tally.
45:28Four minutes of normal time left to the interval.
45:31And Celtic, ten-man Celtic, are two goals to the good in Bologna.
45:41Belief coursing through the veins of the hoops.
45:44And the two and a half thousand in the away end.
45:48Having the time of their lives.
45:50Moro to Dominguez.
45:53Vital that Celtic stay concentrated.
45:56Stay switched on defensively.
45:58Tierney does the chasing out.
46:00To engage Roe.
46:02Ferguson.
46:05Roe once more.
46:09Casale.
46:14Hegem.
46:15Norwegian international.
46:17To the young Argentine.
46:18Hegem again.
46:23Dominguez.
46:26Trying to pull Celtic apart.
46:31Trying to find a loose thread in their defence.
46:33Trying to find a chink of light to expose.
46:37Rose.
46:38Rose ball in.
46:39Engels flicks it away.
46:40Miranda picks it up.
46:42Feeds Dominguez.
46:43Chance to cross.
46:45And Dominguez.
46:46Can't get his angles right with that outside of the boot effort.
46:50I do like this Miranda Dominguez combination.
46:53Very calm on the ball.
46:55Good weight on the pass.
46:57Trosti just doing enough again.
46:59They talk about looking for that loose thread there, Jamie.
47:04Celtic are just going to be very, very compact.
47:07It's going to be tough tonight.
47:08No getting away from it.
47:09But they're capable.
47:10They look up for it.
47:11They're up for the battle.
47:12A dusty connection from Kasper Schmeichel, but Celtic deal with it well.
47:25Dyson Maeda still full of running.
47:33Here's Dominguez, winning the flick.
47:35Sizing up Austin Trosti.
47:37Miranda, first time delivery.
47:40Pobega, of all people, the holding midfielder was waiting at the back post.
47:45Tunechti always lost it.
47:47Pobega, it's not a great pass.
47:50Ferguson, Rowe, and Miranda all waiting for it.
47:54Didn't find any of them.
47:59Boronja play on.
48:00Zortea jinking inside Tunechti, who just flings himself at the right-back's feet.
48:04It's unorthodox, but it's effective from a Celtic point of view.
48:10Yeah, Callum McGregor just showing Tunechti, didn't want to do that.
48:13He looked up, saw no body, so he tried to cut inside and got nicked.
48:16Callum McGregor said it's not a problem, they can't score there.
48:32Miranda.
48:36Moro, four-time Croatian champion.
48:38Nicknamed the next Luka Modric in his homeland.
48:42Miranda linking with Dominguez.
48:44Donovan again has been resolute in this first 45.
48:53He's sharp, Dominguez, real boxer tricks.
48:55Donovan doing well, keeping his eye on the ball.
48:58Moro away from Maeda.
49:01Everything's coming down this left-hand side.
49:04Miranda digs out the cross.
49:06Donovan's there again.
49:11Moro, tired of passing, wants a crack himself.
49:13And he has won his team in the ninth corner of the night.
49:17Taliano just telling his team to calm down, doesn't want them doing that.
49:27Moro, it's a vicious delivery and Schmeichel's there to deny Tommaso Pobega.
49:32Mightish stop from the Great Dane.
49:36Sharp, really sharp from Schmeichel.
49:39Great ball in.
49:40Good positioning.
49:42Away from that danger zone.
49:44Well, it's a save.
49:45Of course, he's more than capable of making, but getting away from anyone following in.
49:50Two minutes of stoppage time to play.
49:52We're into that now.
49:53De Lenga with a free header.
49:54Ferguson's there.
49:55Big shout for handball.
49:57Ferguson on Callum McGregor.
50:01VR will check that in the background.
50:03Referee unmoved on field.
50:10Nope, can't give that.
50:11No chance.
50:12Trusty anticipated that well.
50:27De Lenga back doing the defensive work, but losing out to Arna Engels.
50:31And Celtic will end this first half from their point of view in the right area of the football pitch.
50:36Yeah, big half time for Martin O'Neill.
50:45To have two goals in the bank makes it a little bit easier.
51:02Final 30 seconds or so of the half.
51:06Casale looks to launch something for Bologna.
51:09Roe crowded out though.
51:10Tunecti and Tierney doing the job.
51:12And Tunecti weaving his way in fields.
51:16McGregor.
51:17It's composed play from Engels.
51:25Scales just has to be careful.
51:26Yep.
51:27And that's half time.
51:39And what a half.
51:41Eventful.
51:44Controversial.
51:45But from a Celtic point of view, mightily successful.
51:50Dyson Maeda.
51:51Dyson Maeda.
51:53Seizing on Lukasz Skorupski's loose pass.
51:56To tee up Real Hatate.
51:58His Japanese colleague later booked twice in the space of three minutes.
52:02Before Austin Trusty nodded home at the back stick.
52:05Celtic diligent defensively.
52:07Ruthless with their chances.
52:10And so far taking one mighty step.
52:12Towards the UEFA Europa League knockout phase.
52:15Half time at Stadio Renato Dallara.
52:17Bologna 0.
52:18Celtic 2.
52:19Celtic 2.