Frustration hung heavy over Celtic Park on a chilly Thursday night as empty green seats mirrored the subdued mood on the pitch. Staring down the barrel of a fifth consecutive European loss after conceding a second-half penalty, the hosts looked completely out of ideas. Then, in the space of twenty electric minutes, Martin O'Neill's substitutions flipped the script to deliver an astonishing 3-2 victory.
The Result
Celtic defeated Turkish club Besiktas 3-2 at Celtic Park on matchday four of the UEFA Europa League league phase. The hard-fought victory marks Celtic's first points in the tournament after opening the European campaign with three straight defeats.
How the Match Unfolded
The first hour was a test of patience for the home crowd. Celtic managed just two touches inside the Besiktas penalty box across the entire first half, struggling to test goalkeeper Alexander Nubel despite early half-chances from Benjamin Nygren and James Forrest. Defensively, Cameron Carter-Vickers was forced into a vital block to deny Leandro Trossard.
Disaster struck shortly after the interval. Jordan Lotomba lunged into a rash challenge on Ernest Poku inside the area, conceding a spot-kick. In the 54th minute, Sam Johnstone parried Junior Olaitan's penalty, but Olaitan reacted sharpest to bundle in the rebound and silence Celtic Park.
The turning point arrived just after the hour mark when Martin O'Neill made an ambitious triple change, introducing Callum Osmand, Camilo Duran, and Colby Donovan. The reaction was instantaneous. In the 65th minute, Osmand made an immediate impact, driving forward and lashing home the equaliser with his very first touch.
Celtic took the lead in the 79th minute when Osmand turned provider, feeding a pass to Duran, who rounded Nubel with composure to make it 2-1. Besiktas struck back in the 85th minute through a 25-yard drive from substitute Orkun Kokcu that found the bottom corner. Two minutes later, Duran struck again, collecting a delivery from Kieran Tierney and poking the ball into the net to seal a frantic 3-2 win.
Standout Performances
Substitute striker Camilo Duran proved decisive, netting twice to take his personal tally to 13 goals for the season across all competitions. Alongside him, Callum Osmand changed the entire complexion of the contest with a goal less than sixty seconds into his appearance, followed by an assist for Duran's first.
Kieran Tierney provided defensive stability and supplied the late assist for the winner, while midfielder Mika Baur earned praise for his energetic display in the centre of the park. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, O'Neill reflected on the squad's response:
We've given ourselves a chance because of the result. The game was pretty difficult but we came through it, we came through it with flying colours.
What the Result Means
Celtic sit 32nd in the 36-team Europa League standings with 3 points and a goal difference of minus five. However, the three points place them only one point behind 24th-placed Sturm Graz, who occupy the final knockout play-off spot.
The win carries direct financial rewards as reported by the Glasgow Times. Celtic collected a €450,000 (£375,000) UEFA prize money bonus for the league-phase victory, supplementing the baseline €4.31m participation payment received by all clubs in this stage.
What Comes Next
Celtic face a challenging European run-in, with three of their remaining four matches taking place away from home. The Hoops travel to face Portuguese side Torreense on 26 November, followed by an away fixture against Omonia in Cyprus on 10 December.
In January, Celtic host French outfit Marseille on 21 January 2027 before closing out the league phase away to Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium on 28 January.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between Celtic and Besiktas?
Celtic won 3-2 against Besiktas at Celtic Park on 5 November 2026.
Who scored the winning goal for Celtic?
Camilo Duran scored the winning goal in the 87th minute, poking in a feed from Kieran Tierney.
How many points does Celtic have in the Europa League table?
Celtic hold 3 points from four matches, placing them 32nd overall and one point behind 24th place.
How much prize money did Celtic earn for beating Besiktas?
Celtic earned a €450,000 (£375,000) match-win bonus from UEFA for their league-phase victory.
