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O'Neill defiant in defeat but Celtic's 'flat-track bullies' fail another big test

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill faced another tough night as his side fell short in a 4-0 defeat to Benfica, despite dominating possession and creating few clear chances. The absence of Cameron Carter-Vickers left Celtic’s defense vulnerable, with Gianluca Prestianni and Rafael Duran exploiting the gaps, while the forward line struggled to find rhythm.

Club-record signing Kasper Hogh was substituted at halftime after failing to make an impact, marking his tenth straight game without scoring since joining from Bodo/Glimt. Duran, however, thrived in a more central role, adapting seamlessly to a midfield position where O'Neill believes he is most effective.

The Colombian’s versatility and creativity stood in stark contrast to Hogh’s current form, raising questions about Celtic’s forward options moving forward. O'Neill acknowledged Duran’s value, calling him a standout player, but the high cost of Hogh may delay any immediate changes to the lineup.

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