Javi Rodriguez double leaves Celtic without a point after Celta Vigo defeat

Celtic lost 2-1 to Celta Vigo at Celtic Park on Thursday after Javi Rodriguez scored twice in three minutes to overturn Mika Baur's opener. BBC Sport reported that the Scottish champions remain without a point after three Europa League league-phase matches, having already been beaten by Ferencvaros and Benfica.

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Baur put the hosts ahead in the 47th minute after Haissem Hassan crossed and Celta failed to clear the ball fully. The midfielder finished low past Ionut Radu. Celtic then came close to doubling their advantage when Liam Scales headed against the crossbar, but the visitors recovered to take control of the scoreline.

Rodriguez equalised in the 68th minute by heading in a free-kick before striking again in the 71st with a shot from outside the penalty area. His second goal beat Sam Johnstone and proved decisive. Earlier, Ferran Jutgla had tested the Celtic goalkeeper shortly before half-time, while Celta had enjoyed periods of possession without finding an opening.

Speaking after the match in comments reported by BBC Sport, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill disputed the sequence leading to the equaliser. He believed his side should have received a free-kick immediately before the one awarded to Celta. He also identified Scales' header as a significant missed opportunity, saying a second Celtic goal could have changed the outcome. Those were the manager's assessments rather than a change to the result.

Baur gave a different emphasis in his post-match reaction. He said Celtic's performance over the final half-hour merited defeat and that the team needed to regain possession and disrupt Celta's momentum after conceding. Asked why they had lost control, he said he could not explain it. His response acknowledged the problem without offering a settled cause for the reversal.

The defeat extended Celtic's losing sequence in Europe to four matches, during which they have conceded 14 goals, according to the BBC. Their next European fixture is at home to Besiktas on 5 November. O'Neill maintained that progression remained possible but said Celtic now needed victories both at home and away.