Celtic suffered a 3-1 away defeat in the Europa League against what Martin O’Neill described as a very tough FC Midtjylland side.

The Hoops conceded three first-half goals in the space of eight minutes, and although they continued to battle hard throughout the game, reducing the deficit courtesy of a Reo Hatate penalty, it was the Danish side who took the points to maintain their 100 per cent record in the competition.

Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, Martin O’Neill said: “We expected it to be tough but we were well in the game with half an hour gone in the match and no score in the game, and then we conceded two goals within a minute, and then a third one within seven minutes.

“So, naturally that turns the game. We showed a lot of resilience in the second-half to keep at it because the team could have gone under at that stage but they showed a bit of character, and I do genuinely think that the emotion of Sunday and everything, the extra-time and all of those particular things, definitely played a part.

“The side over the past few weeks has been going through a difficult period, losing some football matches, which is unlike the football club, and then you come here to a very difficult away game in European football and these things can happen.

“By the time you try and refocus the second goal goes in and then there’s a mountain to climb, but these things we have to address – we have to address it domestically and try and see if we can improve with the European scene.

“The second half was a start to that and, as a I said, this is a very fine side we played against, we could have gone under but we showed some character, which is good, and hopefully that will help us for Sunday’s preparation.”

Martin O'Neill: It was a tough night against a very good side