Celtic 1-0 Young Boys: Late own goal ensures Bhoys make play-off round

The ball rebounded into the net off the shin of Young Boys captain Loris Benito after substitute Adam Idah had an effort save by goalkeeper Marvin Keller, ending a frustrating night for Celtic, who missed a penalty and had two efforts ruled out for offside.

Brendan Rodgers' Bhoys are now guaranteed a place in the knock-out round play-offs and sit just a point outside the top eight, although their hopes of guaranteeing a last-16 berth are remote.

A place in the top 24 was cause for celebration enough at Celtic Park as Benito unwittingly provided a route past Keller, who had stood in Celtic's way up to that point.

He saved Arne Engels' 41st-minute penalty, while Kyogo Furuhashi three times had the ball in the net and was denied, twice ruled offside and once seeing a VAR review find in Young Boys' favour as Callum McGregor fouled Cheikh Niasse.

Daizen Maeda was sent off shortly after Celtic's winner, which was then only enough for the points as Kasper Schmeichel made a pair of vital late stops.

We're having a party in the Champions League! #CelticBSCYB | #UCL | #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/ptKN2ZyvzD

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 22, 2025

Celtic are likely to have their work cut out in the next stage, but they will at least get the opportunity to play one leg in front of a fearsome home crowd at Celtic Park.

That will be crucial, as Celtic are now 30 games undefeated at home in all competitions, their longest such run since a sequence of 33 ended in March 2007.