Martin O’Neill was left with plenty to ponder after Celtic opened their Europa League campaign with a disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to Hungarian champions Ferencváros.
The visitors opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Bamidele Yusuf cut in from the right-hand side and sent a low effort towards the bottom corner to silence Celtic Park. His shot took a deflection off Liam Scales, with UEFA crediting it as an own goal.
Celtic responded impressively and levelled the tie just four minutes later. Kieran Tierney burst into the penalty area down the left after being slipped through by the lively James Forrest, before delivering a precise cut-back, allowing the unmarked Mika Baur to sweep the ball home from close range.
However, the hosts’ momentum was short-lived. Ferencváros restored their advantage in first-half stoppage time when chief tormentor Yusuf produced another dangerous run before finding captain Kristoffer Zachariassen, who finished with a clever back-heel from six yards.
Celtic faced an uphill battle after the interval and their task became even harder just two minutes into the second half. Yusuf again played a key role, sending a diagonal ball towards former Celtic winger Daniel Arzani, who cut inside from the left before unleashing a spectacular strike into the top corner.
The home side attempted a late rally, but the visitors defended their two-goal cushion and maintained their threat on the counter-attack, with Yusuf proving a constant menace for the Celtic defence.
We give each player a mark out of ten for their display.
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9. RW - Haissem Hassan
Most of Celtic's attacking threat came down the opposite flank. Overhit an early dinked cross. Looked a real threat when he had the ball at his feet, although those moments were fleeting in the first half. Suspect defensively and eventually substituted. Needs to contribute more. 5 | SNS Group
10. LW - James Forrest
Making his first start since the Scottish Cup final in May, he looked sharp from the outset and was the beating heart of Celtic’s attacking play. Direct and intent on getting balls into the box at every opportunity. Curling cross to the front post teed up Duran’s early chance. Burst through on goal after 13 minutes but was denied by Varga from an acute angle. Involved in the build-up to Baur’s equaliser. Subbed after 56 minutes, but still arguably Celtic's best player. 7 | SNS Group
11. CF - Camilo Duran
Given the chance to stake a claim to be the first-choice central striker having impressed in the position so far, but cut an isolated figure in the first half. Unable to convert an early chance after latching onto Forrest's cross and was often chasing a lost cause. Fired off target from 30 yards late in the first half. A lack of service meant he wasn't seen to much effect. High press on the keeper led to Nygren's second half chance. 5 | SNS Group
12. Celtic Subs
Kasper Hogh - In dire need of a goal. Introduced at half-time for Sorensen and came within inches of connecting with Duran's delivery, but had no real impact. 3 Sebastien Tounekti - A big 30 minutes for the Tunisian after drawing plenty of criticism for his lack of contribution in recent weeks. Looked lively and stung the keeper's palms with a powerful drive. 5 Benjamin Nygren - Brought on for Hassan. Curled an effort narrowly wide from edge of the box and could only find the roof of the net from 25 yards with the goal gaping after slack play from the visiting keeper. Looked very bright. 6 Luke McCowan - Replaced Baur for the final 25 mins. Contributed little. 3 Anthony Ralston - Entered the fray for the last 10 mins and was steady enough. N/A | SNS Group