Ferencvaros 2 Celtic 3 – This is the Day, Excellent Hoops performance blows Group G wide open

Celtic went into tonight’s round 4 clash against Fenencvaros in Budapest knowing that taking 3 points from the game would ensure European football into the new year, whether that be in the Europa League or in the less prestigious Europa Conference League, and we started the game like we knew it was all still to play for in the group with Kyogo opening the scoring after 3 minutes.

Liel Abada showed terrific effort to pressure the Fenencvaros defence into making a mistake as he nipped in to steal the ball and make a great run to the edge of the box before squaring it to Kyogo in the middle, who showed great composure to turn the defender and calmly place the ball past former Hibs goalkeeper Adam Bogdan in the Fenencvaros goal.

Kyogo Furuhashi  celebrates with David Turnbull and teammates after scoring the first goal during the UEFA Europa League group G match between Ferencvarosi TC and Celtic FC at Groupama Arena on November 04, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images)

Unfortunately Celtic conceded an equaliser shortly afterwards, a worrying trait that happens so often when we play in Europe you almost expect it to happen everytime we take the lead. To be fair it was a tad unfortunate to say the least. Abada, who earlier impressed with his part in the opener made a silly flicked pass while under pressure giving the ball straight to the opposition who quickly played the ball out the wing.

Although it looked like the defence had it covered, a speculate effort from Zubkov ended up taking a deflection of Josip Juranovic and looped into the Celtic net over a helpless Joe Hart.

Just when I was starting to think the same old bad luck was coming back to haunt us we turned the game on its head once more. Jota, who will be worth every penny of the £6.5m we MUST pay Benfica in the summer, showed lovely skill and pace down the left wing before unleashing a fantastic effort which nestled into the net via the inside of the woodwork. What a goal. What a player.

Jota  celebrates with teammate Kyogo Furuhashi after scoring the second goal during the UEFA Europa League group G match between Ferencvarosi TC and Celtic FC at Groupama Arena on November 04, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images)

Into the second half we came out once again showing high tempo but it was actually Fenencvaros who nearly levelled the game with a wonderful strike from Nguen which luckily rattled the Celtic crossbar as Joe Hart had no chance. Almost straight away Celtic went up the other end and Anthony Ralston shook the the opposite crossbar with a header.

Shortly afterwards it looked like Kyogo had claimed his second of the night with a fantastic run before clipping the ball over the goalkeeper but the ball was somehow kept out of the net with a unbelievable last ditch sliding clearance from the Fenencvaros defender. It felt like another goal was coming and surely enough we didn’t have to wait long.

In midfield David Turnbull, who was wonderful in the playmaker role throughout the night, showed grit and determination to win the ball and lay it off to McGregor who jinked between players and played the ball to Kyogo who played a sublime pass through the defence to Liel Abada who tucked it into the far post. An exquisite team goal that had a bit of everything.

Liel Abada of Celtic celebrates after scoring the third goal during the UEFA Europa League group G match between Ferencvarosi TC and Celtic FC at Groupama Arena on November 04, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images)

Celtic then went into cruise mode as we closed the game out, making a raft of changes including our three attacking talents all making way at once for Giakoumakis, Forrest and Johnston. Not a bad trio to be bringing on eh? Later on McCarthy came on for Bitton and Scales for Welsh, with both players leaving the pitch having picked up knocks we can only hope will be minor.

Unfortunately Celtic conceded a soft goal just before the end of the 90 minutes meaning the last 5 minutes or so were needlessly nervy, although it was a excellent strike from Uzuni, he should never had got the space to release the shot in the first place. We actually played out the rest of the match well with Giakoumakis in particular doing well in holding the ball up at times.

: Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic shakes hands with Ange Postecoglou after being substituted during the UEFA Europa League group G match between Ferencvarosi TC and Celtic FC at Groupama Arena on November 04, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images)

All in all I think it was a fantastic performance tonight with the late goal by Fenencvaros probably taking a bit of gloss off what was otherwise a great away win. I thought our 3 attackers tonight, who all scored, were excellent both going forward and defensively. They put a lot of effort into tracking back which will not have gone unnoticed by manager Ange Postecoglou.

Although we shipped two goals I was also impressed with a lot of our defensive players tonight, especially Nir Bitton who was excellent in what I have always maintained is the only position we should play him in, defensive midfield. I also thought Juranovic put a superb shift in at left back and you can see him improving in what isn’t his natural position each time he plays there. Carter-Vickers was also strong and reliable in the centre.

James Forrest embraces Ange Postecoglou, following victory in the UEFA Europa League group G match between Ferencvarosi TC and Celtic FC at Groupama Arena on November 04, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images)

With Celtic haven taken maximum points in their two games against Fenencvaros the group is now wide open again and hopefully we can take something from Bayer Leverkusen in the penultimate game of the group setting up what could potentially be a winner takes all shoot out against Real Betis at Celtic Park in the final game. Bring it on!

Conall McGinty

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About Author

Hailing from Cushendall in the North of Ireland my formative years were spent watching Celtic during our barren spell through the 90's which meant I have appreciated our recent trophy-laden spell even more. Favourite matches home and away I've attended has to be beating Man Utd 1-0 at Celtic Park and being with my 2 brothers watching us beat Lazio 2-1 in Rome. Best away day experience? Has to be Munich with friends from Coatbridge...what a few days!

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