Celtic apology issued as Martin O'Neill has say on two players ahead of new signing decision

Midfielder Reo Hatate opened the scoring inside five minutes after pouncing on a goalkeeping error, but he then picked up two yellow cards inside three minutes - the second a needless flick of the boot while chasing the ball with an opponent.

However, Trusty netted after a 40th-minute corner to double Celtic’s lead and while Bologna fought back to level amid some relentless second-half pressure, the visitors also had some chances to win the game before leaving Italy with a point that sets them up well for their final Europa League game. Victory over the already eliminated Utrecht at Celtic Park next Thursday would see Celtic move on to 11 points and secure a place in play-off knockout round.

O’Neill was quick to hail the displays of Scales and Trusty, who repelled shots and put in some crucial tackles. Bologna had 36 efforts on goal and had 84 per cent possession in the second period.

“Trusty was magnificent,” said O’Neill. “He was absolutely magnificent. As he has been in my time here and I’m sure before that. I couldn’t give him any higher praise than the performance he put in. He was absolutely magnificent, as were the team.

“He and (Liam) Scales have been really, really great as a defensive two for me during the time that I’ve been here. Trusty epitomised the spirit of the team. It was colossal, really colossal.”

Hatate says sorry to Celtic boss

O’Neill revealed Japanese midfielder Hatate was apologetic after his red card. “At half-time he was waiting for me, and at the end of the game,” he said. “You have to be a bit careful. It looked as if even the ball was going out of play towards me at the time. But I felt that the referee just couldn’t wait to get the yellow card up at the time. But I would think that anyway.”

O’Neill, who was booked for dissent after Hatate’s red card, continued: “Well, obviously the sending-off had a major effect on the game. I thought that we played brilliantly, got the goal and looked at a really decent outfit.

“We spent all of the second half, or most of it, and the last bit of the first half, defending. But the effort the team put in, the spirit they showed, the willingness to get blocks in, to defend the penalty box in the manner in which they did, I thought was really, really splendid.

“We’ve given ourselves a chance – that’s all, a chance – of qualifying. And from that viewpoint, I’m delighted. My own view is that if we had stayed with 11 men, I think we would have won the game.”

Celtic now head to Tynecastle on Sunday for their crucial top-of-the-table clash with leaders Hearts. O’Neill will be able to call upon 25-year-old Czech striker Tomas Cvancara, whose loan move from Borussia Monchengladbach was confirmed on Thursday, and will have to decide whether to pitch him in against the in-form capital club.

“Of course it’s pressure,” Cvancara said of the fight Celtic face to retain their title, “but for me it’s no problem. When I joined, I knew what the target for the club is, and I know what the target for me is, and I will do everything for us to achieve it together. I’m ready.”