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<\/p>\nRecord Sport’s Ryan McDonald was at Parkhead last night to run the rule over Martin O’Neill’s men<\/p>\n
04:30, 30 Jan 2026Updated 08:48, 30 Jan 2026<\/p>\n
Celtic player ratings from 4-2 Europa League win over FC Utrecht<\/p>\n
Celtic stormed into the Europa League<\/a> knockout play-offs after burying FC Utrecht in a first-half goal blitz.<\/p>\n The Hoops came flying out of the traps as Ben Nygren, Dani de Wit (OG) and Arne Engels\u2019 penalty blew the Eredivisie strugglers away after just 19 minutes.<\/p>\n The already eliminated Dutch visitors did threaten to stage a comeback as they pegged Celts back by two on either side of the break.<\/p>\n But Auston Trusty\u2019s<\/a> second-half header settled the nerves as Celtic<\/a> bagged the three points they needed to book their place in the next phase.<\/a><\/p>\n Here, Record Sport runs the rule over Martin O’Neill’s side after a 4-2 win:<\/p>\n KASPER SCHMEICHEL: The big Dane has been caught static all season. Once again was like a mannequin after Dani de Wit pegged one back from range. But was at full stretch to tip Niklas Vesterlund\u2019s goal-bound header round the post. Beaten down to his left by Adrian Blake\u2019s 25-yard strike. 6<\/p>\n COLBY DONOVAN: Kid looks destined to have a big future at Celtic. Steady as ever in his eighth Euro appearance. Now ahead of Anthony Ralston in the pecking order and a more than able deputy for crocked Alistair Johnston. Has earned the trust of Martin O\u2019Neill. 7<\/p>\n AUSTON TRUSTY: Towering American stopper scored a priceless goal last week in Bologna. And he popped up again with a second-half header to settle Celtic\u2019s nerves last night. Also had a helping hand in burying Utrecht as his nodded effort flicked the wrist of Dani de Wit – leading to an early VAR penalty. 8<\/p>\n Auston Trusty scores(Image: SNS Group)<\/p>\n LIAM SCALES: No-nonsense Irishman clearly thrives in Martin O\u2019Neill\u2019s system. Won just about every ball that was lumped into the box. Distribution lets him down at times but made a crucial intervention to deny Dani de Wit in the dying minutes. Has formed a solid partnership with Trusty. 7<\/p>\n KIERAN TIERNEY: Bounced back from a Tynecastle injury scare. Assisted Celtic\u2019s opener with a trademark cross. Rampaged up and down the flank all night. Inswinging corners caused Utrecht all sorts of problems. Back to his brilliant best. Standing ovation as he was replaced by Dane Murray in stoppage-time. 9<\/p>\n CALLUM MCGREGOR: Skipper was quietly efficient in the middle of the park. Always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Stuck his foot in when needed and tried to drive Celtic forward. Will need to save his energy for the crucial run-in. 7<\/p>\n ARNE ENGELS: Emphatically put the game out of sight with a powerful penalty leaving Barkas with no chance. Booked for catching Miguel Rodriguez late. Pinpoint corner picked out Trusty for Celtic\u2019s fourth. Belgian still looks lumbersome at times though – and that\u2019s what frustrates fans. Replaced by Bernardo. 7<\/p>\n BENJAMIN NYGREN: Netted his 14th goal of the season with a tap-in inside five minutes. Then pounced on a sloppy pass from hapless Barkas to make it 2-0 after his square ball for Maeda was turned in by Nick Viergrever. Denied a second from close range as Barkas diverted post-stamp effort over. Swede was a constant goal threat and a bargain at \u00a31.7m. 9<\/p>\n HYUN-JUN YANG: Tireless South Korean winger has made drastic improvements under O\u2019Neill and is gradually winning punters over. Puts in a power of defensive work but was quiet attacking-wise. Copped a first-half booking for clattering Derry Murkin in an aerial duel. Off for Luke McCowan. 7<\/p>\n DAIZEN MAEDA: Lightning-quick hitman constantly whizzed behind Utrecht\u2019s backline. Left them bamboozled at times but couldn\u2019t get on the scoresheet. Cynics might say the Japanese Duracell Bunny saves his best performances for the European stage. Subbed for Kelechi Iheanacho. 7<\/p>\n SEBASTIAN TOUNEKTI: Jury remains out on \u00a35m Tunisian. Fired an effort well over the bar after pulsating build-up play. Caught out of position as Utrecht reduced the deficit before the break. Needs to bolster his numbers if he\u2019s to become a permanent solution on the wing. Hooked for James Forrest. 6<\/p>\n SUBS:<\/p>\n JAMES FORREST (Tounekti, 68): Veteran winger used his experience to help Celts see out the game. 3<\/p>\n KELECHI IHEANACHO (Maeda, 68): Nigerian made his injury comeback after six weeks out but understandably looked rusty. 3<\/p>\n PAULO BERNARDO (Engels, 78): Portuguese outcast has been linked with a loan exit but was given a late cameo. 2<\/p>\n LUKE McCOWAN (Yang, 78): Thrown on at right wing for the final 10 minutes. 2<\/p>\n DANE MURRAY (Tierney, 90 ): Academy kid was subbed on for last few seconds. 1<\/p>\n Tune in to Hotline Live<\/a> every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On<\/a>, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.<\/p>\n You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers<\/a> and Celtic<\/a> pages, and sign up to our newsletters<\/a> to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We’re also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here<\/a> and our Celtic community here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Auston](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_Celtic-FC-v-FC-Utrecht-UEFA-Europa-League-202526-League-Phase-MD8.jpg\")
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