Bologna 2-2 Celtic: Player ratings + talking points with one standout 9/10 as ten-man Hoops cling on for precious point
How we rated the Celtic players in their 2-2 Europa League draw away to Serie A outfit Bologna at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium
Celtic’s hopes of progressing to the Europa League knockout round remain alive after Martin O’Neill’s side clinched a precious point against Bologna at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium.
The ten-man Hoops were on course to record a famous win at half-time in northern Italy after opening a two-goal cushion courtesy of goals from Reo Hatate and Auston Trusty, which was sandwiched in between the Japanese midfielder’s needless sending off.
But the hosts staged a second half comeback with strikes from Thijs Dallinga and Jonathan Rowe salvaging a share of the spoils - a result that leaves the Scottish champions’ fate in their own hands.
A victory over Dutch side FC Utrecht at Parkhead in their final League Phase fixture likely to be enough to advance to the competition’s knock-out play-offs.
Despite letting a 2-0 lead slip, this has to be viewed as a priceless point in challenging circumstances for O’Neill men after Hatate’s moment of madness.
The visitors got off to an electric start and were gifted the chance to open the scoring when Daizen Maeda seized on a stray pass from Bologna keeper Lukasz Skorupski inside the opening five minutes. He rolled the ball back to compatriot Hatate who steered his shot into an empty net.
Skorupski made amends less than 60 seconds later when the Polish shot-stopper made an excellent save to deny Yang Hyun-jun angled drive.
Midfielder Hatate then went from hero to zero when he was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in the space of three minutes - the first of which was merited for a blatant foul on Lewis Ferguson - and he could have few complaints about his dismissal after catching Juan Miranda on the heel.
The Celtic players were furious with the decision, while a visibly irate O’Neill on the touchline received a caution of his own amid the protests.
That left the Parkhead side facing an uphill battle as they tried to protect their early advantage, with the Italians growing in confidence thereafter.
Instead, Celtic proceeded to double their lead following a period of severe pressure on their goal. Kieran Tierney’s corner was flicked on by Arne Engels into Auston Trusty’s path and the USA international poked home from close range to spark wild celebrations among the travelling support.
Celtic spent the vast majority of the second 45 minutes on the back-foot as they attempted to soak up a tidal wave of pressure. Benjamin Dominguez struck the crossbar amidst a flurry of chances before Bologna hauled themselves back into the contest just shy of the hour mark.
Dallinga’s header managed to find a way past Kasper Schmeichel, despite the Danish veteran’s best attempts to palm the ball away to safety.
And the home side eventually made their dominance count as they equalised through English midfielder Rowe, whose curling strike flew past the blindsided Schmeichel with 18 minutes remaining.
Here, GlasgowWorld breaks down three main talking points from the game and how the Celtic players fared:
Hatate leaves Hoops in the lurch
Hatate’s ridiculous dismissal came at a time when Celtic were seriously under the cosh. He owes his team mates an apology for allowing his frustrations to boil over. He picked up a stupid caution for a swipe at Lewis Ferguson and then proceeded to slap Miranda on the back after clipping his heels.
It proved crucial to how the rest of the match panned out, with Celtic forced to retreat and spend a lengthy period camped inside their own box. It was an impressive shift they put in and O’Neill will have been delighted with the resilience shown by his team in testing circumstances.
Terrific Trusty epitomises steely Celts
Since O’Neill return to the managerial hotseat, Celtic have rediscovered a steely determination that had quickly disappointed during Wilfried Nancy’s disastrous 33-reign.
They had to contend with relentless pressure from the Italians but there was a strong desire to throw bodies on the line for long spells, with Trusty in particular producing one of his best displays in a Hoops shirt - throwing himself into numerous vital blocks and challenges.
Fate in their own hands
It was a case of what could have been for Celtic, but the bottom line is they remain in the hunt for a place in the knockout rounds with a favourable home tie against struggling Utrecht on the final matchday.
A win should be enough to ensure progress is made, but the Celts could have their work cut out after emptying the tank in Italy ahead of Sunday’s huge Premiership clash against leaders Hearts.
Celtic player ratings vs Bologna
GK - Kasper Schmeichel (6/10)
RB - Colby Donovan (8/10)
LCB - Liam Scales (7/10)
CM - Callum McGregor (7/10)
CM - Arne Engels (6/10)
RW - Yang Hyun-jun (6/10)
CAM - Reo Hatate (3/10)
LW - Sebastian Tounekti (5/10)
CF - Daizen Maeda (7/10)