Celtic suffered their third consecutive defeat in the Europa League after a late-game collapse against Celta Vigo on 22 October 2026. Despite taking an early second-half lead through a goal by Mika Baur, the Scottish side conceded two goals in a three-minute span between the 68th and 71st minutes, ultimately losing the match. The result leaves Celtic in 35th place out of 36 teams in the competition standings, with only one team from Armenia ranked lower.
Manager Martin O'Neill acknowledged the team's inability to maintain momentum after taking the lead, noting that the players struggled to cope with adversity during the final half-hour. The defeat has intensified criticism regarding the club's performance in European competitions, with observers noting a significant decline in standards compared to previous years. Critics argue that domestic success in the Scottish Premiership has become an unreliable indicator of the team's capacity to compete at the European level.
Beyond the immediate performance on the pitch, the club faces internal scrutiny regarding its leadership and long-term strategy. Questions have been raised about the absence of senior board members and executives during public discussions concerning the club's direction and the disconnect between the team and its supporters. While O'Neill maintains that there are still points to be contested in the tournament, the current trajectory has fueled concerns about the club's future in European football.
