EUROPA LEAGUE
DURÁN DOUBLE LIFTS CELTIC OFF THE MARK
Celtic 3, Beşiktaş 2. Celtic: Callum Osmand 62, Camilo Duran 78, 87; Beşiktaş: Junior Olaitan 54, Orkun Kökçü 85. Att: 44,394. Subs Osmand and Durán turn Parkhead around after Olaïtan penalty rebound
Celtic finally have a Europa League win on the board after a frantic second half at Parkhead ended 3-2 against Beşiktaş and snapped a run of three straight European defeats.
A goalless first half left the home crowd restless. Beşiktaş had more of the ball and more shots overall, and after the break they made it count. Júnior Olaïtan won a penalty on 54 minutes; Sam Johnstone saved it, then the Benin midfielder stabbed in the rebound. Martin O'Neill answered from the bench: Callum Osmand, Camilo Durán and Colby Donovan all arrived around the hour, and within a minute Osmand had drilled an equaliser into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, Callum McGregor's assist completing the move.
“A really good performance. Hearts and soul into the game. Just when I thought we were going to drop two points, we came back again. So much spirit. It's been tough in Europe, tonight was tough. We always still think about trying to qualify - at least we've given ourselves a chance. We made some changes, freshened things up. We have to give the opportunity [to players] because we play a lot of games in quick succession. The crowd gives us something and tonight was particularly special. It reminded me of the olden days.” – Martin O'Neill, Celtic manager, speaking to TNT Sports, via BBC Sport
“This is a great team we're playing against. Camilo [Duran] did amazing, he's such a poacher. Credit to him. It's a lot harder starting games. The team dug in, stayed strong and we got our rewards.” – Callum Osmand, Celtic forward, speaking to TNT Sports, via BBC Sport
O'Neill then shifted Durán through the middle. With the Colombian's first attack from there, Osmand slipped him in; Durán got there before Alexander Nübel, rounded the keeper and slotted into the empty net for 2-1 on 78 minutes. Beşiktaş captain Orkun Kökçü, also off the bench, levelled with a 25-yard rocket into the bottom corner on 85. Two minutes later Kieran Tierney struck from just outside the area, Durán controlled it on the shoulder and stabbed Celtic back in front.
Five minutes were added, and Celtic had to see it out after Benjamin Nygren wasted a late chance when clean through. After losses to Ferencváros, Benfica and Celta Vigo, the Scottish champions sit 32nd on three points; Beşiktaş, unbeaten until tonight, remain eighth on seven. The substitutes changed the night, and Celtic are off the mark at last.
Where it leaves them: Celtic 32nd on 3 points; Beşiktaş 8th on 7 points. Celtic climb to 32nd on three points after three straight European losses; Beşiktaş drop to eight points and eighth