Martin O’Neill sent Celtic off in style, overseeing a 3-1 Europa League victory at Feyenoord as he prepares to hand the job to Wilfried Nancy. The result in Rotterdam moved Celtic into a Europa League play-off spot and was their first win in the Netherlands since 2001 — a fixture O’Neill also managed that year.
Feyenoord struck first in the 11th minute when Sem Steijn’s pass found Ayase Ueda, who finished after a lapse in the Celtic defence. Flares were thrown from outside De Kuip, but Celtic soon responded. A lofted pass from Luke McCowan found Reo Hatate, whose hook to the far post allowed Hyun Jun Yang to score from close range and level the game.
Celtic went ahead two minutes before half-time. Daizen Maeda charged down goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther’s attempted pass; the loose ball fell to Hatate, who hit a first-time effort from about 22 yards into the net to make it 2-1.
The second half saw Celtic start well but face pressure as Feyenoord pushed for an equaliser — Diarra rattled the bar with a header and Leo Sauer wasted a close-range chance earlier. Engels had a free-kick tipped away by Kasper Schmeichel as the hosts searched for a route back into the match, but Celtic defended resolutely.
The game was sealed in the 82nd minute after another defensive break down in Feyenoord’s box. Maeda disrupted Wellenreuther as he collected Colby Donovan’s low cross; the ball fell kindly for substitute Benjamin Nygren, who came off the bench to fire in off the underside of the bar for 3-1.
Celtic had earlier threatened when McCowan hit the bar from close range following an Arne Engels corner. A potential handball on the rebound of another Ueda effort was waved away by officials, while supporters in the travelling section made their voices heard despite a closed stand at De Kuip as UEFA punishment for earlier fireworks.
After the match O’Neill said the win was “terrific,” underlining how important restoring the squad’s confidence has been after recent defeats. He also offered brief advice for incoming boss Wilfried Nancy, noting Nancy can lean on established winners in the squad while working to improve other players.
Celtic now return to domestic duties and further Europa League fixtures, aiming to build on the confidence-boosting victory in Rotterdam.