After 3–1 Europa Loss, Celtic Fans Demand Player Be Sold in January After ‘Shocking’ Display Against Midtjylland

Celtic’s Europa League campaign hit a new low on Thursday night as the Scottish champions fell to a humbling 3–1 defeat against FC Midtjylland at the MCH Arena in Denmark. The loss left interim manager Martin O’Neill searching for answers and the supporters furious, with many calling for sweeping changes and the sale of one player in particular after what they described as another “shocking” performance.

The Hoops started brightly but fell apart in the first half, conceding three goals in nine chaotic minutes. Martin Erlić (33’), Mateusz Gogorza (35’), and Faris Djú (41’) punished Celtic’s defensive errors, leaving the visitors reeling before half-time. A late penalty from Reo Hatate (81’) restored a sliver of pride, but it was too little, too late. By full-time, frustration had turned into fury among the travelling Celtic fans, who booed their team off the pitch and vented their anger online.

While O’Neill shouldered part of the blame in his post-match comments, much of the criticism from supporters focused on the players. And one name dominated the discussion.

That name was Liam Scales. The Irish defender, who has been a regular starter this season, was heavily criticised for his role in two of the first-half goals and for what many described as a “reckless” and “unfocused” display. Supporters took to social media after the match demanding that he be sold in January, accusing him of being a weak link in Celtic’s back line.

Defensive Collapse at the MCH Arena

The first 45 minutes were nothing short of disastrous for Celtic. After a disciplined opening half-hour, Midtjylland’s first goal opened the floodgates. A corner from the right found Martin Erlić completely unmarked, and his powerful header flew past Joe Hart to make it 1–0.

Just two minutes later, Celtic’s defensive structure completely crumbled. A hopeful ball into the box caused confusion between Scales and another defender, allowing Mateusz Gogorza to pounce and slot home from close range. The home side sensed blood, and before Celtic could regroup, Faris Djú made it 3–0 with a curling finish into the far corner on 41 minutes.

Midtjylland’s intensity and precision contrasted sharply with Celtic’s hesitancy. The Hoops looked rattled and disorganized, struggling to keep their shape. Interim boss O’Neill was seen shouting instructions furiously from the touchline, but his side’s first-half collapse left them with an impossible mountain to climb.

Former Celtic player chris sutton, working as a pundit for BT Sport, summed it up after the match:

“Celtic looked like a side with no leadership at the back. You can’t afford lapses like that in Europe. It wasn’t about ability tonight, it was about concentration and composure and Celtic didn’t have it.”

Hatate’s Effort the Lone Bright Spot

Celtic showed more control after the break, but the damage was already done. Reo Hatate, one of the few players to emerge with credit, battled tirelessly in midfield. His movement and aggression helped Celtic regain some rhythm, and his converted penalty on 81 minutes at least gave the fans something to cheer.

O’Neill made several substitutions to spark a reaction, but Midtjylland’s defence held firm. The Danish side were content to sit deep, absorb pressure, and frustrate Celtic. Each misplaced pass and poor touch from the Hoops only added to the growing frustration among their supporters, who had travelled in strong numbers to the MCH Arena.

Fans Turn on Scales

After the final whistle, Celtic’s online fan forums and social media channels erupted with criticism, most of it aimed squarely at Liam Scales. Supporters accused the defender of repeatedly switching off and failing to deal with simple situations. Many demanded that the club act decisively in January.

One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

“That was another shocking display from Scales. Week after week it’s the same mistakes. If we want to improve defensively, he has to go in January.”

Another added:

“You can’t keep giving him chances. He’s cost us too many times already. Rodgers, O’Neill, anyone  they all see the same problem. It’s time for change.”

Some fans expressed sympathy for the 25-year-old, noting that he has been played in multiple defensive systems this season. However, the majority felt that Celtic must bring in more experienced defenders if they hope to compete in Europe.

O’Neill Calls for Calm and Perspective

Speaking after the match, interim boss Martin O’Neill admitted his side had fallen well short of expectations.

“We lost concentration at key moments and were punished. At this level, you can’t afford lapses. We made it too easy for them,” O’Neill said. “It’s a tough night, but I still believe in this group. We’ll learn from this and make sure we respond in the right way.”

O’Neill also hinted that changes could be coming ahead of the next domestic fixture, acknowledging that “some players need to look at themselves” after such a poor showing.

A Defining Period for Celtic

The defeat leaves Celtic in a precarious position in their Europa League group. With just two matches remaining, they now face an uphill task to qualify for the knockout rounds. Beyond the immediate results, though, Thursday night’s performance has reignited long-standing questions about the club’s European mentality and squad depth.

As one frustrated supporter put it outside the MCH Arena:

“We’ve seen this movie too many times. Big stage, same mistakes. Until we sort out the defence and the mentality, we’ll keep getting nights like this.”

With January approaching and O’Neill temporarily at the helm, Celtic face crucial weeks ahead  both on and off the pitch. How they respond to this setback could define not only their European fate but also the futures of several key players, including Liam Scales, who now finds himself under intense scrutiny from the fans.

Final Score:

FC Midtjylland 3–1 Celtic

(Erlić 33’, Gogorza 35’, Djú 41’; Hatate 81’ pen)