Martin O’Neill was left with plenty to ponder after Celtic opened their Europa League campaign with a disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to Hungarian champions Ferencváros.
The visitors opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Bamidele Yusuf cut in from the right-hand side and sent a low effort towards the bottom corner to silence Celtic Park. His shot took a deflection off Liam Scales, with UEFA crediting it as an own goal.
Celtic responded impressively and levelled the tie just four minutes later. Kieran Tierney burst into the penalty area down the left after being slipped through by the lively James Forrest, before delivering a precise cut-back, allowing the unmarked Mika Baur to sweep the ball home from close range.
However, the hosts’ momentum was short-lived. Ferencváros restored their advantage in first-half stoppage time when chief tormentor Yusuf produced another dangerous run before finding captain Kristoffer Zachariassen, who finished with a clever back-heel from six yards.
Celtic faced an uphill battle after the interval and their task became even harder just two minutes into the second half. Yusuf again played a key role, sending a diagonal ball towards former Celtic winger Daniel Arzani, who cut inside from the left before unleashing a spectacular strike into the top corner.
The home side attempted a late rally, but the visitors defended their two-goal cushion and maintained their threat on the counter-attack, with Yusuf proving a constant menace for the Celtic defence.
We give each player a mark out of ten for their display.
5. LB - Kieran Tierney
Linked well with Forrest down the left flank in the opening 48 minutes and made a number of positive overlapping runs. Had a strike from the edge of the box after 40 seconds deflected behind for a corner. Clever pick-out to find Baur for the equaliser after a surging forward run. Bamboozled by Yusuf in the build-up to the visitors' second goal. 6 | SNS Group
6. CM - Callum McGregor
The skipper needs more help in the middle of the park. Played a short corner routine with Hassan that led him having a shot from the edge of the box, which took a deflection and flashed just past the post. Unable to drum up a response from his team mates after the Hungarians' third goal shortly after break. 5 | SNS Group
7. CM - Mika Baur
Lost possession cheaply in the build up to Arzani's chance and was struggling to impact proceedings until finding himself unmarked in the box to sweep home Tierney's low cutback to level the contest. The goal capped off a dream 24 hours after earning his first Germany call-up. Overall contribution, though, was lacking. Subbed. 6 | SNS Group
8. CAM - Oliver Sorensen
Yet to prove his worth. Drifted into some promising areas but struggled to make a meaningful impact. Survived a penalty appeal late in the first half before being hooked at half-time. 4 | SNS Group