UEFA Europa League League Stage - 8
Celtic 4 - 2 FT Utrecht
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
6' B. Nygren (K. Tierney)
10' N. Viergever (B. Nygren)
17' Auston Trusty
19' A. Engels
33' Yang Hyun-Jun
39' Arne Engels
D. de Wit (N. Vesterlund) 44'
HT
↓ M. Rodriguez ↑C. Bozdogan 61'
↓ D. Murkin ↑S. El Karouani 61'
A. Blake (G. Zechiel) 62'
66' A. Trusty (A. Engels)
68' ↓ S. Tounekti ↑K. Iheanacho
68' ↓ D. Maeda ↑J. Forrest
78' ↓ Yang Hyun-Jun ↑L. McCowan
78' ↓ A. Engels ↑P. Bernardo
↓ Y. Cathline ↑B. Menzo 78'
↓ A. Blake ↑D. van den Berg 86'
↓ G. Zechiel ↑R. El Arguioui 86'
90'+2 ↓ K. Tierney ↑D. Murray
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Celtic
Goalkeepers
K. Schmeichel 
SIEVE
33%
Save %
33%
Save %
2
Conceded
1
Saves
Defenders
C. Donovan 
ENFORCER
4
Tackles
4
Tackles
4
Duels Won
80%
Win %
A. Trusty 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
L. Scales 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Tierney 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
39%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Yang Hyun-Jun
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
A. Engels
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
C. McGregor 
MAGNET
72
Activity
72
Activity
66
Passes
6
Duels
S. Tounekti
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
68
Total Mins
68
Entry
BENCH
V. Sinisalo 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
R. Doohan
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
D. Murray
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Ralston
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Hale
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Isiguzo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. McCowan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Bernardo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Forrest
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Mcardle
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Balikwisha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Iheanacho
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Utrecht
Goalkeepers
V. Barkas 
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
N. Vesterlund
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
M. van der Hoorn 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
83%
Duel Win %
N. Viergever 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Own Goal
Mistake
Own Goal
Mistake
0
Fouls
5.3
Rating
D. Murkin
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Midfielders
A. Engwanda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Zechiel 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.6
Rating
A. Blake
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
D. de Wit
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
3
Fouls
7.2
Rating
Y. Cathline
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Forwards
M. Rodriguez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
BENCH
M. Brouwer
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
K. Gadellaa
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
S. El Karouani
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Didden
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. van den Berg
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Bozdogan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. El Arguioui
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. van Ommeren
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Menzo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Haller
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +13
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +5
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -7
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -10
P: 8 GD: -11
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +13
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +5
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -7
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -10
P: 8 GD: -11
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Celtic Survive Utrecht Scare in Six-Goal Thriller
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 79/100. An early onslaught at Celtic Park ultimately morphed into a chaotic shootout, but the hosts' lethal edge secured vital points for their playoff push.
Blistering Bhoys Blitz
Celtic Park erupted instantly. The hosts flew out of the traps, setting an off-the-charts Intensity that Utrecht simply could not handle. B. Nygren opened the scoring in the sixth minute, finishing off a sharp move initiated by K. Tierney. Before the visitors could catch their breath, N. Viergever inadvertently bundled the ball into his own net just four minutes later to double the misery. The nightmare deepened for the Dutch side when VAR confirmed a penalty in the 17th minute. A. Engels stepped up and buried the spot-kick. At 3-0 inside 20 minutes, the match looked completely buried, with Celtic firmly dictating the tempo and choking the midfield spaces.
The Dutch Resurgence
You write off a wounded team at your peril. Just before the break, D. de Wit snatched a lifeline for the visitors, altering the Balance of the tie. Coming out for the second half, Utrecht played with nothing to lose. They pressed higher up the pitch and suddenly quieted the raucous home crowd. Their persistence paid off beautifully in the 62nd minute when A. Blake unleashed a brilliant strike to make it 3-2. Suddenly, the Upset Factor was looming large over Glasgow. A game that previously seemed like a training ground exercise was now a knife-edge thriller, exposing uncharacteristic gaps in the hosts' defensive line.
Trusty Slams the Door
The rising panic in the stands lasted exactly four minutes. Realising the high Stakes of dropping points in their Europa League playoff hunt, Celtic immediately answered back. A. Trusty hammered home a crucial fourth goal, restoring order and puncturing Utrecht's soaring momentum. Callum McGregor took over from there, pulling the strings in midfield to ensure his side edged possession and safely managed the clock. The hosts racked up a towering 2.66 expected goals to Utrecht's 0.41, proving their underlying superiority despite the mid-game wobble. This 4-2 triumph keeps Celtic firmly in the playoff conversation, leaving the visitors cemented at the bottom of the table.
Key Questions
What caused the 6-goal thriller?
An aggressive start saw Celtic race to a 3-0 lead, forcing Utrecht to attack relentlessly. Defensive gaps and clinical finishing on both ends created a chaotic spectacle.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Celtic Chase Playoff Security Against Spiraling Utrecht
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 42/100. Celtic must capitalise on Utrecht's miserable European campaign to guarantee their spot in the top-24 playoff line.
The Setup
On January 29, 2026, Celtic step onto the pitch at Celtic Park knowing exactly what is required. Sitting precariously in 21st place with 11 points, they are right in the thick of the scramble for direct playoff qualification. A modest Stakes rating reflects Utrecht's dire position; languishing in 34th place with a solitary point, their European adventure is effectively over. The visitors drag a terrible Form into Glasgow, enduring a brutal four-match losing streak and looking entirely devoid of confidence. However, both sides boast notoriously leaky defences this campaign, conceding over four goals per game combined. This injects a chaotic Balance into the tie, meaning chances will flow at both ends. The Scottish side relies heavily on their attacking Stars to exploit these gaps, with Reo Hatate shining brightly in midfield alongside the creative spark of Daizen Maeda.
Key Battle
With no individual duels taking centre stage, the defining clash will be Celtic's dynamic attacking midfield unit against Utrecht's fragile backline. The Dutch side is shipping over two goals a game on the road, creating a perfect storm for the home attackers who will look to overwhelm them with pace out wide. Utrecht's only hope relies on their central midfield disrupting the tempo, forcing turnovers before the hosts can settle into their relentless passing rhythm.
Our Prediction
Expect Celtic to dictate the terms of engagement from the very first whistle. Utrecht’s glaring defensive frailties will be exposed quickly under the intense lights of Glasgow. The hosts will secure a comfortable multi-goal victory, driven by their relentless wide play, midfield runners, and sheer desperation to cement their European knockout status while the visitors continue their dismal run.