Celtic managed to secure a valuable draw against Club Brugge in a game that tested their resilience and determination. Despite struggling for much of the match and conceding an own goal through a blunder by Cameron Carter-Vickers, Celtic’s persistence ensured they left the pitch with a point, thanks to a stunning strike from Daizen Maeda.
The match began with Brugge dominating proceedings, showing fluidity and intent from the opening whistle. Ferran Jutglà signaled Brugge’s early ambitions with a curled effort that narrowly missed the target. Celtic, on the other hand, looked tentative, their attacking moves lacking conviction and precision. The Belgian side’s pressing game caused problems for the home team, who found it challenging to build any meaningful attacks.
The turning point in the first half came from a moment of sheer misfortune for Celtic. Carter-Vickers, under pressure from Brugge’s aggressive pressing, attempted a back pass to Kasper Schmeichel. However, the Celtic goalkeeper was nowhere near the intended spot, leading to an embarrassing own goal that handed Brugge the lead. The error epitomized Celtic’s disjointed play in the opening stages, leaving the home fans in stunned silence.
Brugge had opportunities to extend their lead, with Andreas Skov Olsen and Maxim De Cuyper coming close to scoring. The visitors’ pace and movement kept Celtic’s defense on edge, and their wastefulness in front of goal was the only reason the game remained within reach for the Scottish side. Schmeichel redeemed himself with a crucial save early in the second half, denying De Cuyper after a marauding run.
Celtic’s midfield struggled to exert any control, which further allowed Brugge to dictate the tempo. The atmosphere at Celtic Park, typically a fortress for the home side, was subdued, with anxiety palpable among the fans. Brugge continued to create chances, but their inability to capitalize on them began to weigh on the visitors as the match progressed.
The introduction of Paulo Bernardo into Celtic’s midfield provided much-needed stability, while Brendan Rodgers made attacking changes in a bid to salvage something from the game. The turning point came in the 67th minute when Maeda, who had been largely ineffective until then, produced a moment of magic. Cutting in from the flank, he unleashed a powerful shot that beat Simon Mignolet and found the back of the net via the post. The equalizer reignited the Celtic faithful, who erupted in celebration.
Brugge thought they had restored their lead when Jutglà found the net late in the game, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. The disallowed goal added to the visitors’ growing frustration, as they saw their dominance fail to translate into a win.
The closing stages of the match saw substitutions disrupt the rhythm of both sides. Celtic appeared content to settle for the draw, with their players visibly fatigued from chasing the game. Rodgers’ decision to introduce Adam Idah hinted at a desire to push for a winner, but the opportunity never materialized. Reo Hatate’s audacious volley, which sailed well off target, was one of the last notable actions of the match.
In the end, Celtic’s ability to avoid defeat, despite being second-best for large portions of the game, demonstrated their resolve and fighting spirit. The draw keeps them in a strong position to progress in the Champions League, with eight points from five matches representing a solid return.
For Brugge, the result will feel like a missed opportunity. Their style and attacking prowess were evident, but their failure to convert chances into goals ultimately cost them. While they were the more coherent and threatening side for much of the match, their profligacy and Celtic’s determination ensured the points were shared.
