Thijs Dallinga of Bologna scores the 1-2 goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Celtic FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
MIBBERY – 5/10 – Ran his pack of cards out through that tempestuous first 45, thankfully leaving one Japanese on the park when for a few seconds of VAR replay he might have landed an Asian double as Daizen arrived late on one of them at lightspeed.
Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini and Jonathan Rowe with head down at the end of the UEFA Europa League soccer match between Bologna and Celtic at the Renato DallÕAra Stadium in Bologna, north Italy – Thursday, January 22, 2026 Photo Massimo Paolone/LaPresse/IMAGO
OVERALL – 8.5/10 – Pretty pastel away shirts sponsored by Celtic Alamo Foundation. And Davy Crockett. Magnificent isn’t the choice word really, for the performance, or the result – but certainly can be applied to the character the players finally showed after a troubled, teeth-grinding, brow-beater of a season to date.
Celtic FC fans during the Uefa Europa League match between Bologna FC and Celtic Glasgow on 22 January 2026 at Renato Dall Ara Stadium, Bologna, Italy. Photo Nderim Kaceli IPA Sport/IMAGO
The way in which they got that result – a precious point to bring qualification within reach – was almost absolutely ideal for our current circumstances, if not a little flaming mental. All that was missing by the end was a ripped Gerry Butler stood in our goalmouth in a red cape and shield, chucking a spear at Zombaby Ferguson, hollering “THIS. IS. SELLIIIIIIICK!”.
Celtic FC fans during the Uefa Europa League match between Bologna FC and Celtic Glasgow on 22 January 2026 at Renato Dall Ara Stadium, Bologna, Italy. Photo Nderim Kaceli IPA Sport/IMAGO
Almost to a mhan – not you, Reo. Baka! – they showed their mettle; same fortitude that had deserted them so infamously against the actual Zombies, the Paisley Zombies, The Dundee Zombies and the Diet Zombies, among others this season. And the perfect tonic was that this result came against a proper team, Italian Cup winners, away from home. It can be both season-defining and a litmus test; something the players should draw great energy and belief from, and if they don’t they’re never going to cut it.
I’d bet on the former if I was a gambling man. And you all know that I am so a ton on us -1 at the Edinbugger Reptile House on Sunday, thanks…So should we go on to take the title, remember this dreich January night as a turning-point when this Celtic side finally got their baws back, after some of them literally, heroically, put theirs on the line.
Go Away Now
Sandman
All Books Now Half Price in the Celtic Star Books January Sale…
These books now available at at HALF PRICE in our January sale – click on image to order…
Order from Celtic Star Books HERE!
Please note that p&p is priced at £4.50 is only charged on ONE book so you can buy as many of our books as you like and the postage cost will remain the same. Why not expand your Celtic library today?
Over 40 arrests?
Sweep sweep.
Manchester it was not, blaming Chelsea fans is not for everyone.