Javi Rodriguez double sinks Celtic as Celta Vigo fight back to win

Javi Rodriguez scored twice in three minutes as Celta Vigo came from behind to beat Celtic 2-1 at Celtic Park on Thursday, October 22. The result left Celtic without a point after three Europa League matches. Sky Sports reported that Martin O'Neill's side were one of four teams in the 36-club standings still waiting to get off the mark.

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Celtic's official match report, carried by Yahoo Sports, described a first half in which Celta controlled much of the early possession. The hosts needed blocks to keep the visitors out before creating an opening of their own through Haissem Hassan. His cross found Camilo Duran, whose header was saved as Celtic began to threaten at the other end.

There was frustration for the home side when Callum Osmand went down following a push near the edge of the penalty area, but no foul was awarded. Duran was booked for protesting. Celtic's report also recorded an Osmand effort over the bar before Sam Johnstone denied Ferran Jutgla shortly before half-time, keeping the match goalless at the interval.

Mika Baur broke the deadlock in the 47th minute after Hassan's delivery reached him inside the area. Celtic then came close to extending their advantage when Liam Scales headed against the crossbar. Instead of establishing a two-goal cushion, the hosts were pulled back into the contest when Rodriguez headed in from a free-kick in the 68th minute.

Rodriguez struck again three minutes later, this time with a powerful shot from outside the box, to put Celta ahead. Celtic could not produce an equaliser. O'Neill sent on Kasper Hogh, Oliver Sorensen and Sebastian Tounekti during the closing stages, while Colby Donovan had an effort saved as the home side tried to recover the point they were now chasing.

Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, O'Neill said Celtic still had points available to pursue and expressed belief that they could win both at home and away. The defeat followed a 7-1 domestic victory over Hearts. Celtic remain four points ahead of Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, with a visit to Hibernian next on Sunday.