From Rotterdam to Leith, Celtic’s momentum is real, belief restored | OneFootball

If the Celtic FC Foundation Christmas Appeal got a fiver for every rendition of “This Is the Day” sung in showers by the Celtic support this morning, last year’s £412,000 total would have been blown out the water before we even hit December…

After four long years, Celtic finally won an away match in Europe — and did it in style.

The board recently reminded us we are a Scottish club with Scottish ambitions, but last night was a pointed reminder that Celtic’s potential stretches far beyond the parochial. Yes, this Feyenoord side arrived with as much off-field turbulence as Celtic, but Martin O’Neill’s team looked every inch a seasoned European outfit, especially during long spells of a commanding second half.

Luke McCowan of Celtic shoots but hits the crossbar during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at De Kuip on November 27, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos Getty Images)

Celtic should have been ahead before they were behind. Luke McCowan’s astonishing miss – rattling the underside of the bar when scoring seemed easier – sucked the air from Celtic lungs. And naturally, Europe punished the mistake. A straightforward pass through the middle sliced Celtic open, Scales and Tierney drawn to Steijn like moths to a flame, while Ueda arrived unmarked to finish brilliantly at the far post, with the right side of Celtic’s defence conspicuous by their absence. Another preventable European concession. Another collective sigh. This is the day? Aye right.

UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 – Feyenoord Rotterdam vs Celtic FC, Netherlands Colby Donovan of Celtic FC looks dejected after conceding his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Feyenoord Rotterdam and Celtic FC at the De Kuip in Rotterdam, Netherlands, November 27, 2025. Rotterdam Netherlands Photo Matrix Images/ Marcelxter Bals

Except, this time, Celtic refused to wilt.

McCowan atoned majestically, floating a perfectly weighted ball into Reo Hatate’s stride. Hatate, first patient, then composed, and finally precise, clipped to the back post where Yang arrived like a striker in his pomp, sweeping home with the outside of his boot. A gorgeous goal, and more importantly, the kind of proactive response Celtic so rarely find after going behind on the continent.

Yang Hyun-Jun of Celtic scores a goal to make the score 1-1 Feyenoord v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Football, Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam, Netherlands – 27 Nov 2025Rotterdam Stadion Feijenoord Netherlands Photo Kieran McManus Shutterstock

Moments later, Kasper Schmeichel kept Celtic alive with a strong save, and then came the moment that flipped the tie on its axis. Daizen Maeda, Celtic’s perpetual motion machine, hunted down Wellenreuther in the Feyenoord goal. The pressured clearance dropped to Hatate, whose finish was so calm it felt medically regulated. Celtic led. And this time, belief grew.

Reo Hatate of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Daizen Maeda during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at De Kuip on November 27, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

If Schmeichel’s stop was vital, Callum McGregor’s back-post intervention was defining. A heroic goal line clearance, followed by Feyenoord rattling the bar through Diarra, and a heart in mouth penalty claim, provided reminders that the storm wasn’t over. But when the clouds parted, it was a Swedish substitute who wrote the final lines.

Benjamin Nygren of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammates during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at De Kuip on November 27, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Colby Donovan — superb all evening — slipped the ball to Maeda in the box. Maeda, ice-cool, picked his pass. Benjamin Nygren met it like a man determined to introduce himself to Celtic folklore, smashing it off the underside of the bar and in. Rotterdam roared, but it was the Celtic end where all the noise came from. This is the day indeed.

Reo Hatate produced his best performance of the season by a distance. Arne Engels was a warrior. Yang looked revitalised. Maeda did the work of three men. Donovan looked born for the stage. And McGregor is proving, once again, that while form may dip, class does not.

Reo Hatate of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Callum McGregor during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at De Kuip on November 27, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos Getty Images)

Saturday’s late winner in Paisley may have been the spark Celtic needed — a jolt of adrenaline after a lethargic return from an international break. In Rotterdam, that spark caught fire.

This looks set to be Martin O’Neill’s final European match as interim Celtic boss, with Wilfried Nancy expected to take charge on Monday. If so, what a way to bow out.

Martin O’Neill, Manager of Celtic, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at De Kuip on November 27, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Five wins from six. A side revived. A support re-energised. A title race rejoined. A European campaign rescued. O’Neill hasn’t just steadied the ship — he’s turned it toward open water again.

He found Celtic stuck in a rut and will hand them back them back humming with rhythm. Whatever happens on Sunday in Edinburgh, he leaves the club in a far better place than when he arrived. For that, the supporters owe him more than he’ll ever admit.

Easter Road has troubled stronger Celtic sides than this one, but after Feyenoord, there should be no fear. From Rotterdam to Leith, the momentum is real, the belief, hopefully, restored.

Real life rarely gives us the romance we crave. But if the stars align on Sunday, Martin O’Neill may just get the farewell the Celtic support desperately want for him. And the farewell he fully deserves.

Because after last night, it truly feels like Rotterdam to anywhere.

Niall J

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