It was a massive European win for Celtic and it kept their hopes of qualification alive and kicking

Liftoff. At last.

After a number of false starts in Europe, Celtic are finally off the runway with three points very few predicted they'd get against a big-budget Turkish side.

They had to battle for it too. It looked at one stage as if they were heading to the halfway stage of the Europa League league phase pointless, but after a couple of inspired changes from the bench – and their key men standing up to be counted – they came from behind to land a massive victory that might just have kept them alive in Europe.

There's a long way to go from here, and they're still up against it as they look to clamber back into the top 24. But it's a start, and that's more than what they had at this time yesterday.

Here's what we learned from a massive night underneath the fireworks at Parkhead.

Atmosphere matches the occasion

The Green Brigade made a splash about boycotting this one, but this was one of the best atmospheres Parkhead has seen in recent memory. Martin O'Neill said it was like a return to the good old days and it certainly felt like that towards the end of the game as the vociferous home support roared their team towards three points.

It even appeared to spook Besiktas – no small feat considering some of the furious environments they're used to playing in over in Turkey.

There's no doubt the ultras group add something when they're on song with the rest of the support but this was proof a vocal minority section isn't the be all and end all for a great atmosphere at Parkhead.

Defensive rock back at his best

He looked a bombscare against Falkirk – no huge surprise considering it was his first start since September – but Cameron Carter-Vickers was back to something approaching his best here. And what a boost that will be for Celtic heading into a make-or-break run of games after Christmas.

One or two cobwebs are still to be blown off for the American and he was brought off on 78 minutes, likely just to rest the legs as O'Neill phases him back in.

But after so much was made of his comments about his manager's tactics last month, Carter-Vickers now looks well placed to let his football do the talking again.

Mr Consistent delivers again

Given his history with injuries, there were doubts Celtic would ever get a run of games like this out of Kieran Tierney again.

But he is delivering game after game and is turning into the club's Mr Consistent.

Tierney has now started 16 of Celtic's 20 games this season and registered an assist for the winner – even if it was a wayward shot that skewed into Duran's path. He's proving to be a hell of an asset, and maybe the cover for him the club were so desperately chasing in the summer isn't as much of an issue as once thought.

A starting surprise

As first starts go, it wasn't exactly ideal for Jordan Lotomba. Few expected him to be thrown in for this one, and the clumsily conceded penalty that gave Junior Olaitan the platform to open the scoring probably just underlines the fact that outside of Alistair Johnston, Colby Donovan is Celtic's best right-back.

Once Celtic have a full compliment to choose from, it's difficult to see what Lotomba's role will be beyond a relief substitute at full-back. He doesn't quite look up to it.

But who knows, it's early days yet.

Changing the game

As first touches go, rattling one into the bottom corner from 20 yards is about as good as you can ask for. Callum Osmand is turning into a far more important player for Celtic this season than any of us could have predicted and that moment could just take him to another level. That's now three goals and an assist in just 339 minutes of football for the 20-year-old who is stating his case to become a regular starter.

And what more can you say about Camilo Duran? He came off the bench alongside Osmand with a point to prove after being left out of the XI, and showed exactly what Celtic had been missing. Once he went through the middle after Kasper Hogh was withdrawn, he looked a man possessed and came up with the two clutch moments that ultimately won it for Celtic.

James Forrest and Sebastien Tounekti started this one; it will be a surprise if either are in for Kilmarnock this weekend after the almighty impact made by the men who replaced them.

Learning on the job

Now well into his 70s with more than 20 full seasons in management behind him, you wouldn't think there's much left for Martin O'Neill to learn. But every day is a school day.

It was the Irishman's in-game adjustments that won this one. Duran, Osmand and Haissem Hassan all had the desired effect off the bench while the team looked much more balanced with Mika Baur restored to his deeper midfield role alongside Callum McGregor.

Lessons were learned over the course of this one and if they're taken on board between now and the end of the season, it could bode well for what is to come.

Life in European campaign yet

So you're telling us there's a chance.

Anything but a victory last night would likely have been curtains for Celtic's European season. But with three points now on the board at the halfway point, there is hope yet.

For all it's been a largely dismal Europa League campaign, the Hoops now sit just a point outside of the top 24 of the competition.

Their next game is against a side in the Portuguese second division; after that it's a trip to Cyprus. Two winnable games where, if they achieve the desired outcomes, they'll be right in the mix for playoff qualification.

It's a long way from over.