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Celtic suffer Europa League defeat against Benfica despite manager Martin O'Neill remaining defiant

Celtic lost 4-1 to Benfica in the Europa League group stage on Thursday, leaving manager Martin O'Neill looking for answers despite maintaining optimism.

FTMQ Sports, written by our newsroom0 views

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Picture: BBC Sport Front Page

Celtic fell to a 4-1 defeat against Benfica in the Europa League on October 15, 2026. BBC Sport and ESPN both report that manager Martin O'Neill expressed positive signs regarding his team's European outlook despite the heavy loss. BBC Sport notes that the defeat marks Celtic's second loss in the Europa League group stage this season. [1][4]

BBC Sport reports that Portuguese side Benfica created numerous chances across both halves, hitting the woodwork twice alongside their four goals. Celtic played without injured defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, leaving their defensive unit exposed to constant pressure from Benfica attackers Gianluca Prestianni and Duran. [1]

BBC Sport also reports that forward issues remain a primary concern for Celtic manager Martin O'Neill. Club record signing Kasper Hogh was substituted at half-time during the match. Hogh has now failed to score in 10 of his first 11 appearances for the club since completing a summer transfer from Bodo/Glimt. [1]

The latest European loss adds to recent domestic struggles for Celtic, who have also lost two derby matches this season according to BBC Sport. O'Neill nevertheless remains adamant that he can see encouraging signs from his team moving forward. [1]

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In short

  • Benfica defeated Celtic 4-1 in the Europa League group stage on October 15, 2026.
  • Celtic played the match without injured defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.
  • Celtic forward Kasper Hogh has failed to score in 10 of his first 11 games since joining from Bodo/Glimt.
  • Celtic manager Martin O'Neill stated he still sees positive signs despite two Europa League group stage losses.

Sources

Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.

  1. [1]O'Neill defiant in defeat but Celtic's 'flat-track bullies' fail another big testBBC Sport Front Page, 2h ago (the report this story comes from)
  2. [2]O'Neill defiant in defeat but Celtic's 'flat-track bullies' fail another big testBBC, 2h ago
  3. [3]Celtic make Camilo Duran decision as Martin O'Neill switches two for BenficaGlasgow Times, 7h ago
  4. [4]Martin O'Neill positive on Celtic Europa League hopes despite 4-1 thrashing to BenficaESPN, 2h ago
  5. [5]Martin O'Neill sees Celtic hope amid Benfica pain as he makes defiant European vowThe Herald, 3h ago
  6. [6]What Martin O'Neill told players in Celtic dressing room after Benfica defeatThe Celtic Way, 3h ago

Background

  1. [7]Keir Starmer on Wikipedia
  2. [8]List of Shameless (British TV series) characters on Wikipedia

Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 8 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.

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