3 days ago
24
Celtic came from a goal behind in Rotterdam to earn a well-deserved victory over Dutch giants Feyenoord and maintain their push for a Europa League play-off spot.
Ayase Ueda coolly slid the hosts in front early on before Yang Hyun-Jun cancelled it out with a fine volley shortly after half-time at the end of a free-flowing move.
Reo Hatate pounced on a sloppy clearance from goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther to put Celtic in front before the interval, with substitute Benjamin Nygren coming off the bench to round things off late on.
Solid at the back and lively up front, the Scottish champions were well worth the victory - their second in the competition this season - in what was a triumphant final European appearance in the dugout for interim boss Martin O'Neill.
They host Serie A leaders Roma at Parkhead in a fortnight, knowing another win would go a long way to ensuring a place in the knockouts.
Our man Kevin McKenna was on hand to run the rule over the men in green in white on a famous evening at De Kuip...
Yang Hyun-Jun was in the right place to fire home a Celtic equaliser in the first half
Reo Hatate capped off a wonderful midfield display with the goal which put the visitors ahead
Youngster Coly Donovan once again underlined his credentials on the right of defence
CELTIC (4-3-3)
KASPER SCHMEICHEL - 6.5: Left exposed as Ueda slid home to put Feyenoord in front, but made a big stop with his feet to deny the same man at 1-1.
COLBY DONOVAN - 7: Relished the physical battle with Sauer and came out on top more often than not. Cross led to Nygren clincher.
LIAM SCALES - 6.5: Didn’t take any unnecessary risks and content to keep things simple. Dug deep in the closing stages.
AUSTON TRUSTY - 7: Couple of vital interventions in his own box and got his head on everything which came his way. A assured performance.
KIERAN TIERNEY - 6: Tried and failed to play Sauer offside for the hosts' opener. Guilty of giving Hadj Moussa too much room at times.
CALLUM MCGREGOR - 6: Kept things ticking over in the middle and offered some much-needed composure in second half.
REO HATATE - 8: A reminder of how good he can be. Great run and cross for Yang’s goal and produced ice-cool finish to put side ahead.
Celtic move on to seven points after a thoroughly deserved away win against the Dutch giants
ARNE ENGELS - 6: Got through a power of work defensively but offered very little going forward. Took one for the team with late booking.
YANG HYUN-JUN - 7: Surprise starter justified his selection with energetic display. In the right place to volley the equaliser home.
LUKE MCCOWAN - 7.5: Looked uncomfortable in unfamiliar position early on but grew into the game. Fine pass to Hatate in build-up to leveller.
DAIZEN MAEDA - 7.5: Forced the keeper into mistake which led to Hatate goal, and supplied assist for the third. Simply relentless.
SUBSTITUTES: Nygren (McCowan 63), Tounekti (Yang 71), Murray (Tierney 71), Bernardo (Hatate 83), Ralston (Donovan 84).
MARTIN O'NEILL - 8: Last European match in charge couldn’t have gone any better. Got his tactics spot on.
FEYENOORD (4-3-3): Wellenreuther; Lotomba (van Persie, 81), Ahmedhodzic, Watanabe, Smal (Nieuwkoop 62); Targhalline , Steijn, Valente (Timber 76); Hadj Moussa, Sauer (Diarra 62), Ueda.
REFEREE: Sebasitan Gishamer (AUT) 6
ATTENDANCE: N/A
