When Liam Scales, the 26‑year‑old Republic of Ireland centre‑back, rose for a corner in the 61st minute, his header levelled the score and set off a dramatic swing in Celtic's favour.
The equaliser came at Celtic Football Club's home, Celtic Park, in Glasgow, where the visitors SK Sturm Graz had taken the lead with Tomi Horvat’s long‑range strike in the 38th minute.
Just a minute later, Swedish forward Benjamin Nygren, playing out of position, tapped in the winner from the same set‑piece, sending the Celtic faithful into a jubilant roar.
Match Overview and Turning Points
Sturm Graz entered the league‑phase fixture on a high, having secured a historic double‑victory over both Celtic and Rangers earlier in the season – a feat only matched by FC Barcelona’s 2007‑08 side. Their early dominance appeared to continue when Horvat’s 25‑yard effort slipped past the Celtic keeper at 0‑1.
However, the tide turned after the break. Scales’ header was a textbook example of timing and aerial power, and it gave the home side a lifeline. Nygren’s finish, booked by a chaotic scramble in the penalty area, proved decisive. The decisive moment arrived when 21‑year‑old Nigerian forward Tochi Chukwuani received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on team captain Callum McGregor in the 70th minute, leaving the Austrians a man down.
With ten men, Sturm Graz struggled to create clear chances, and Celtic capitalised on the numerical advantage to seal a 2‑1 victory.
Injury Blow and Squad Shuffle
The win was not without cost. Within the opening ten minutes, Celtic’s attack hit a wall – Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho and Canadian full‑back Alistair Johnston both curled up with hamstring pulls.
Johnston, who had only just returned from a similar injury suffered two months earlier in a Champions League play‑off against FC Kairat Almaty, was making his first appearance since that setback. The lack of depth forced manager Brendan Rodgers to field 23‑year‑old Irish forward Johnny Kenny as a makeshift centre‑forward, while Daizen Maeda’s hamstring issue kept the Japanese attacker on the sidelines.
Nygren and Kenny each missed several clear opportunities, a footnote that the RTE match report highlighted as “potential hat‑trick chances lost”. The injuries could have wider repercussions, especially with the congested Europa League schedule looming.
Manager Brendan Rodgers' Post‑Match Takeaway
Rodgers, in his second spell at the helm, praised the resilience of his side. “So happy for the likes of Benji [Nygren]. He’s playing out of position, showed courage to keep going, he eventually gets his goal,” the Northern Irish manager said in the post‑match press conference.
He also singled out Arne Engels for his set‑piece expertise, declaring it “world class”. Engels, the 22‑year‑old Danish midfielder, was instrumental in delivering the corner that led to Scales’ header, and his composure on free kicks has become a talking point among Celtic supporters.
On the injury front, Rodgers remained cautiously optimistic. “We’ll assess Kelechi and Alistair in the next few days. The squad depth is there, but we must manage minutes carefully,” he added, hinting at possible rotation ahead of the upcoming Midtjylland clash.
Implications for the Europa League Race
With the win, Celtic moved to four points after three league‑phase matches, sitting comfortably in the top‑four and within striking distance of the automatic round‑of‑16 spots.
- Points tally: Celtic 4, Sturm Graz 3, Midtjylland 2, PSV Eindhoven 1.
- Goal difference: Celtic +1, Sturm Graz 0.
- Top‑eight teams qualify directly for the round of 16; positions 9‑24 enter a playoff.
Sturm Graz, despite the red card, remained on three points and will need a result against PSV Eindhoven to keep alive their playoff hopes.
The Europa League’s new league‑phase format – 36 teams in a single table rather than traditional groups – means every point carries extra weight. A slip today could force a club into the high‑stakes playoff round later.
Looking Ahead: Next Fixtures
Celtic’s next challenge arrives on 7 November 2025, when they travel to Denmark’s MCH Arena to face FC Midtjylland. The Danish side have been steady at home, and Rodgers will likely have to decide whether to rest any of the injured forwards or gamble on a quick recovery.
Sturm Graz return to the Merkur Arena for a crucial showdown against PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch outfit, sitting atop the table, will test the Austrians’ resolve, especially after the disciplinary setback.
Both clubs will be under the watchful eye of UEFA, which monitors the league‑phase progress as it feeds into the broader European competition calendar.
Key Facts
- Date: 23 October 2025
- Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow
- Score: Celtic 2‑1 Sturm Graz
- Goal scorers: Liam Scales (61'), Benjamin Nygren (62')
- Red card: Tochi Chukwuani (70')
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this result affect Celtic’s chances of reaching the Europa League round of 16?
The win lifts Celtic to four points, placing them firmly within the top‑four. With two matches left in the league‑phase, a single slip could push them into the playoff round, so the result keeps a direct round‑of‑16 spot very much alive.
Which players are doubtful for Celtic’s upcoming match against Midtjylland?
Both Kelechi Iheanacho and Alistair Johnston suffered hamstring injuries early on. Medical staff will assess them in the next 48 hours; if they can’t train fully, Rodgers may rely on Johnny Kenny and other fringe forwards.
What was the significance of Tochi Chukwuani’s red card for Sturm Graz?
The dismissal reduced Sturm Graz to ten men for the final 20 minutes, limiting their ability to press for an equaliser. The suspension also means Chukwuani will miss the crucial PSV match, weakening their attacking options.
How does the new league‑phase format differ from the previous group stage?
Instead of eight groups of four, the 2025‑26 Europa League features a single table of 36 teams. Each club plays eight matches – four home, four away – and the top eight qualify directly for the round of 16, while places 9‑24 enter a knockout playoff.
Who were the standout performers for Celtic according to the manager?
Rodgers highlighted Benjamin Nygren’s bravery playing out of position and praised Arne Engels for his “world‑class” set‑piece delivery that created the opening goal. Liam Scales was also lauded for his decisive header.
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