Celtic survived a Bologna fightback to take an important level of their penultimate Europa League match and maintain their hopes of development alive.
It was the dream begin for the Hoops in Italy as Daizen Maeda pounced on a goalkeeping mistake to set Reo Hatate up for an early opener.
However the goalscorer was then despatched packing after two fast yellow playing cards as Celtic’s problem grew to become extra daunting.
Auston Trusty was stable on the again because the Serie A facet piled on the strain, with the defender then doubling the lead simply earlier than the break.
It was then wave after wave of assault from the hosts and Thijs Dallinga and Jonathan Rowe pulled the sport again to 2-2.
Martin O’Neill’s facet although managed to carry on to take a draw, which means there’s nonetheless all to play for in opposition to Utrecht at Parkhead subsequent week.
Hoops maintain on for priceless level
Reo Hatate opened the scoring in Italy
Hatate opened the scoring within the sixth minute after a present from Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, who handed the ball straight to centre-forward Daizen Maeda. The Japan ahead squared the ball for his compatriot to roll into an empty internet.
Skorupski partially redeemed himself moments later as he clawed Hyun-jun Yang’s shot over the bar after Hatate’s move threatened to get Maeda in behind. Liam Scales virtually scrambled dwelling the ensuing nook.
The sport shortly turned although as Kasper Schmeichel made his first save, from Nadir Zortea, when Celtic had been briefly all the way down to 10 males as Maeda sorted hassle with a contact lens.
Reo Hatate was despatched off after two first half bookings
The hosts stored up the strain. Callum McGregor produced a goal-saving problem following slack play from Hatate and Trusty delivered a collection of blocks and interventions within the penalty field.
Schmeichel tipped over a nook that threatened to sail straight in and saved properly from Juan Miranda’s first-time strike.
Hatate was booked for a foul on Lewis Ferguson earlier than needlessly flicking out a boot to catch Miranda within the thirty fourth minute because the pair chased a ball that was heading into the Bologna half. A purple card adopted and O’Neill additionally acquired a yellow card for his protests.
Auston Trusty doubled Celtic’s lead
The Celtic followers had been celebrating once more 5 minutes earlier than the break as Trusty netted in off the bar on the again submit after Arne Engels had headed on Kieran Tierney’s inswinging nook.
Schmeichel saved Tommaso Pobega’s header and though Maeda swept a half-chance broad, the second half shortly developed into an onslaught of the Dane’s objective.
Schmeichel saved Ferguson’s header and Nicolo Casale’s volley earlier than Benjamin Dominguez shot off the highest of the bar.
The strain paid off within the 58th minute when Dallinga obtained in entrance of Colby Donovan to nod dwelling from six yards after Jens Odgaard had headed on a cross.
Jonathan Rowe equalised for Bologna
Maeda was now enjoying as a supplementary wing-back as Celtic defended however the strain was relentless. The equaliser got here within the 72nd minute as former Norwich winger Rowe made house on the sting of the field and evaded substitute Benjamin Nygren to smash a shot into the roof of the web previous a immobile Schmeichel.
Celtic emerged from their shell and had alternatives to grab an unlikely win. Substitute Johnny Kenny pressured a save and may need been capable of play Maeda in on a counter-attack whereas Liam Scales had a looping header tipped over.
There have been probabilities for the hosts too and Schmeichel saved from Riccardo Orsolini and Nicolo Cambiaghi.
O’Neill restores Celtic’s perception
Martin O’Neill (R) and Shaun Maloney are in cost at Celtic till the tip of the season
Sky Sports activities’ Adam Bate at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara:
“What a game that was, Celtic can hardly regard it as two points dropped given the circumstances. Bologna threw everything at them but they defended so resiliently – Trusty, in particular, magnificent.
“O’Neill has infused these gamers with such perception, exhausting to grasp how it’s the similar facet that had been wilting not so way back. They’ve an actual alternative to make the knockout phases of the Europa League now.
“Of course, this game will have taken plenty out of them ahead of that key clash with Hearts at the weekend. But try telling the Celtic fans here in this stadium about that right now.”
