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Martin O’Neill’s Celtic Referee Anger Gets UEFA Question

Martin O’Neill was left frustrated by the officials, and Pat Bonner was adamant Callum Osmand should have been awarded a foul during Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo at Celtic Park.

The incident came in the first half, with Osmand driving towards the Celta defence after Celtic had worked the ball forward quickly.

Martin O’Neill’s Celtic Referee Anger Gets UEFA Question
Celtic’s Callum Osmand is fouled by Celta Vigo’s Javier Rueda during the UEFA Europa League match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Thursday October 22, 2026.

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Speaking on BBC Sport, Bonner made clear he did not think Osmand had gone down easily.

He said: “There is no way that was a dive. He is running at pace, the hand was on the back – he has almost pushed him over. Whether he is inside the box or outside the box I am not 100 per cent sure, but certainly for me that was a foul. Did he check it?”

James McFadden agreed that Celtic had every right to feel aggrieved by the call.

He added: “It looked like a foul. Sam Johnstone pings a brilliant ball to Duran, who pings it around the corner for Osmand. He is driving at the heart of the defence for Rodriguez and is shaping as if he is going to cut back into his right foot.

“There is a recovering defender who pushes him, I am amazed. He is driving into the box. He does really well, Osmand.”

It was one of several decisions that left Martin O’Neill frustrated on the night.

Celtic O'Neill
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill during the UEFA Europa League match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Thursday October 22, 2026.

The Celtic boss was booked in the second half after Celta Vigo were awarded the free-kick that led to Javi Rodriguez’s equaliser.

He said: “He has got a point. There was a couple of decisions…as he talks about. But, if you look at the picture as the whole picture Celtic haven’t done enough to win the game. There is a lot of negatives in the way Celtic play, especially when they are trying to chase [an equaliser]. They were overstretched and made it easier for the opposition.”

Celtic had decisions they could point to, but they also lost control after going 1-0 up. Mika Baur’s opener gave them a platform, Liam Scales hit the woodwork, and then Celta Vigo scored twice in quick succession.

Osmand’s first-half incident will be debated, but Celtic still had the lead later in the game and failed to manage it.

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