Celtic manager Martin O’Neill delivered a defiant message after his side’s latest European setback.
“We can still qualify. We can still do it,” he insisted while discussing the club’s prospects of progressing through the Europa League league phase.
The comments came in the immediate aftermath of a heavy defeat on the road. O’Neill refused to write off the campaign despite the difficult position Celtic now find themselves in.
His words offered a clear signal of belief at a moment when many supporters were feeling the weight of consecutive losses in the competition.
A Night of Frustration in Lisbon
Celtic travelled to face Benfica knowing the importance of picking up points early in the league phase. Instead they suffered a 4-1 reverse that left them with nothing from their opening two fixtures.
The result followed an earlier home defeat to Ferencvaros. Those back-to-back losses have left the Scottish champions near the bottom of the 36-team table.
Benfica struck early and often. A penalty converted inside the first five minutes set the tone for a difficult evening.
Early Goals Leave Celtic Chasing the Game
The hosts added further goals before the interval. Celtic found themselves three goals down at half-time and facing an uphill task.
Sloppy defensive moments proved costly. Individual errors allowed Benfica to capitalise and establish a commanding lead.
By the time the teams returned for the second half the contest already felt heavily tilted in the home side’s favour.
Second-Half Response Offers Encouragement
O’Neill later focused on the improvements after the break. Celtic began to create opportunities and showed far greater intensity.
They pulled a goal back midway through the second half. The strike briefly lifted spirits and demonstrated the attacking threat still present in the squad.
Further chances followed. The visitors forced the Benfica defence into uncomfortable moments and looked capable of adding more.
A late fourth goal for the hosts restored the three-goal margin. Yet the manager insisted the second-half display contained genuine positives.
O’Neill’s Clear Message to Players and Fans
Speaking after the final whistle, the Celtic boss repeated his central theme. “We can still qualify. We can still do it,” he said with conviction.
He pointed to the remaining six matches in the league phase. Those fixtures, he argued, still offer a realistic path into the knockout stages.
O’Neill stressed that the second-half performance had given him determination. The side had created chance after chance once they settled into the contest.
His comments were measured but firm. There was no sense of resignation, only a determination to keep fighting for progress.
Context of the Current League Phase
The new Europa League format presents a long league phase of eight matches. Celtic sit towards the foot of the standings after two games.
Points will be hard to come by against the stronger sides. Yet results against mid-table and lower-ranked teams could still prove decisive.
History shows that teams can recover from slow starts. Several sides in recent seasons have climbed the table after early setbacks.
Recent Form Raises Questions
Celtic’s European results form part of a broader pattern of struggle in high-stakes matches this season. Losses in key domestic fixtures have also tested the squad.
The team has looked capable of dominating lesser opponents. Against stronger opposition the defensive structure has sometimes looked fragile.
O’Neill has been tasked with steadying the ship. His experience as a former Celtic manager brings credibility when he speaks about the club’s potential.
Supporters have grown used to domestic dominance. European nights, however, continue to expose the gap that still exists against top continental sides.
Tactical Observations from the Benfica Defeat
In the first half Celtic struggled to control the midfield. Benfica’s movement and intensity forced the visitors into reactive positions.
The early penalty disrupted any planned approach. From that moment the visitors were forced to chase the game rather than impose their own style.
After the interval the shape improved. Celtic pushed higher and created better combinations in the final third.
The goal they scored reflected greater urgency. Crosses into the box and quicker transitions finally caused problems for the home defence.
Areas That Still Need Attention
Defensive concentration remains a concern. Soft goals at key moments have become a recurring theme in Europe this season.
Transition play also requires refinement. When possession is lost the team can be exposed by quick counter-attacks.
O’Neill will demand tighter organisation in the coming weeks. The next fixtures offer opportunities to rebuild confidence and collect points.
Fan Reaction to the Manager’s Words
Supporters reacted with a mixture of frustration and cautious hope. Many took to social media to express disappointment at the result itself.
Others welcomed the manager’s refusal to accept defeat in the wider campaign. The quote “We can still qualify. We can still do it” quickly circulated among the Celtic support.
Some fans pointed to the second-half improvement as evidence that the team retains quality. Others felt the optimistic tone was difficult to share after two heavy losses.
The debate reflects the high expectations that surround the club. European progress remains a key measure of success for many supporters.
Looking Ahead in the Competition
Celtic still have six matches remaining in the league phase. Those games will decide whether O’Neill’s belief proves justified.
Home fixtures will be particularly important. The atmosphere at Celtic Park has often lifted the side in continental competition.
Results against sides of similar standing could provide the points total required. Avoiding further heavy defeats against the stronger teams will also matter.
The manager has made his position clear. He believes the squad is capable of turning the situation around.
Domestic Pressures Remain
While European ambition continues, domestic priorities cannot be ignored. Celtic remain in the hunt at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Balancing the two competitions will test squad depth. Injuries and fatigue could play a role as the calendar intensifies.
O’Neill has spoken previously about the need for the right recruitment. Building a group capable of competing on both fronts remains an ongoing process.
What the Coming Weeks Will Reveal
The next stretch of fixtures will show whether the second-half response against Benfica can be sustained. Consistency has been missing so far.
Players will need to respond to the manager’s public show of faith. Belief from the dugout can only go so far without matching performances on the pitch.
Celtic’s European campaign is far from over. Six matches still offer a path into the knockout stages if results improve.
Martin O’Neill has drawn a clear line in the sand. His message is simple and repeated with conviction: the team can still qualify and they can still do it.
Whether that belief translates into points will define the remainder of their league phase. For now the manager’s words provide a focal point for a club determined not to surrender its European ambitions.
Supporters will watch the coming matches closely. Every result will be measured against the optimistic outlook offered in the aftermath of the Benfica defeat.
The campaign remains alive. Celtic must now prove on the pitch that their manager’s confidence is well placed.