- Parkhead side had to rely on late own goal by Young Boys skipper Loris Benito after a tense night in east end of Glasgow
- But club may have to enter play-off or beyond without Furuhashi after he was linked with £10million move to Rennes
- Furuhashi had three goals disallowed and Arne Engels had penalty saved before Adam Idah forced vital own goal
Brendan Rodgers hailed the courage of his players as Celtic stormed into the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the first time in 12 years with a 1-0 win over Young Boys.
They required an own own goal from visiting skipper Loris Benito with four minutes left of an incredibly tense evening, after Adam Idah had forced a save from goalkeeper Marvin Keller.
But it seems increasingly likely they will not have Kyogo Furuhashi for the play-off round or beyond, with reports in France claiming he’s set to join Rennes for £10million.
Rodgers was delighted to make progress after a first half in which Furuhashi had three goals disallowed and Arne Engels a penalty saved. Daizen Maeda was sent off with a minute to go for a kick at Mohamed Ali Camara but Celtic held out.
‘Obviously when we lost the penalty, it can rock you, but it never did,’ said Rodgers after his team qualifed with a game to spare, against Aston Villa. ‘The players just got the composure again, got playing.
‘It’s the highest level of European football, so you expect them (Young Boys) to come out and adapt a little bit and have a little bit of the ball. But we stayed strong and kept persevering.
It’s bedlam at Celtic Park as fans celebrate with Idah after he forced crucial own goal
Idah watches as the ball rebounds off Young Boys skipper Loris Benito and into the net
The Celtic striker dashes off in delight as the club’s Euro progress is sealed
‘I thought the players earned it. I’ve been involved in many of the games here, where you end up throwing that game and it’s a bit flat at the end. And even worse, lose a game when you shouldn’t have.
‘But for us to win, it shows the maturity and the development of this squad.
‘There’s been so many critics of Celtic at this level. There’s no doubt it’s a challenge. But the players have stepped up.
‘They’ve been absolutely superb over the course of these seven games.’
Rodgers played down the personal aspect of Celtic getting back to the knock-out round in his second season after returning to the club.
‘The club’s always the most important,’ he added. ‘The supporters, from the first whistle to the end, could see the players needed lifting.
Brendan Rodgers is hugged by John Kennedy after a famous night for the Parkhead side
Rodgers applauds the fans after they remained patient during a very tense evening
Furuhashi may have played last game for Celtic, however, ahead of possible move to Rennes
‘So, it’s a little bit of history created. We haven’t been in the knockout stages for a long time. So, for the supporters, it’s an amazing night.’
Celtic now travel to the Midlands knowing a win could yet see them gatecrash the top eight.
Kasper Schmeichel celebrated signing a one-year contract through to 2026 on Wednesday with a crucial double save in the second half.
‘It was an incredible night,’ said the Dane. ‘I’ve waited 20 years to play for a club like this so it was a very easy decision (to sign a new deal).’
