Celtic’s difficult week took another turn for the worse as Ferencvaros claimed a 3-1 victory in Glasgow in the Scottish champions’ opening Europa League fixture.
Martin O’Neill’s side arrived under pressure after their Old Firm defeat to Rangers, but many of the same defensive problems resurfaced. Celtic conceded three goals for the second successive match and again looked vulnerable at the back, continuing a worrying pattern that was also evident in their Champions League qualifying loss to LASK.
Celtic actually started brightly, with James Forrest finding space on the left and helping push Ferencvaros deeper. The hosts failed to make that early control count, however, and were punished when Bamidele Yusuf cut inside before sending an effort towards the far post. Liam Scales was unable to deal with the danger and diverted the ball into his own net.
Mika Baur restored hope just before half-time, finishing a well-worked move shortly after receiving his first Germany call-up. The response lasted only moments. Ferencvaros attacked again almost immediately and Kristoffer Zachariassen found space inside the area to restore the visitors’ advantage before the break.
O’Neill altered Celtic’s shape for the second half and introduced Kasper Hogh alongside Duran in attack, but the change failed to stabilise the team. Another mistake from Scales handed possession to former Celtic winger Daniel Arzani, who produced a clinical finish to put Ferencvaros 3-1 ahead.
Arzani’s goal carried added significance after his previous spell at Celtic was heavily disrupted by injuries, but for the home side it effectively ended any realistic chance of a comeback.
Benjamin Nygren went closest to reducing the deficit, yet Celtic were unable to generate enough pressure to seriously threaten Ferencvaros late on.
The defeat leaves Celtic with a damaging start to their Europa League campaign and adds further scrutiny after the weekend loss to Rangers. Their next European assignment is a difficult trip to Portugal to face Benfica, while another Old Firm meeting awaits at home on Sunday.