Still, Martin O’Neill can focus on the most important fact in that he has guided the Scottish champions into the Europa League’s playoff phase. Even continuation in the Europa League had looked a long shot in the latter part of 2025. This occasion marked more than two decades since O’Neill last managed Celtic in a home European game. Utrecht decided it was wise to leave Nygren in splendid isolation, six yards from their goal as Celtic completed a short-corner routine. In his rush to clear Maeda’s ball across goal, the Utrecht captain Nick Viergever sent the ball into his own net.