Celtic 4-2 FC Utrecht result - Hoops quality for UEFA Europa League knockout play-offs after three-goal blitz in opening 19 minutes helps secure win

Martin O’Neill’s revolution at Celtic continued, as a 4-2 victory over Utrecht helped the Scottish club secure a place in the UEFA Europa League knockout play-offs.

The Hoops could barely have made a better start, racing into a two-goal lead as Benjamin Nygren converted from close range from Kieran Trippier’s cross, before Nick Viergever inadvertently put into his own net after meeting Sebastian Tounekti’s ball.

Within 19 minutes, it was 3-0, as VAR intervened to award an incredibly harsh penalty for handball by Dani de Wit, not that Arne Engels cared, as he emphatically dispatched the spot kick into the top corner.

The Utrecht star atoned when he pulled one back on the stroke of half-time though, as he was afforded too much space in the D and expertly curled home.

Further worries spread around Park Head when Adrian Blake pulled another goal back after the break, beating Schmeichal when he rounded off an incisive counter-attack in a composed manner.

Any nerves were quashed by Auston Trusty’s header minutes later though, powerfully restoring the two-goal cushion with what proved to be the final goal.

Celtic will now face either Ferencváros or Stuttgart in the play-offs.

We now know it will be either Ferencváros - managed by ex-Celtic man Robbie Keane - or Stuttgart in the play-offs for Celtic.

The draw is tomorrow - live on TNT Sports.

"The main thing is that we're through. It's knockout football, that's what everyone wants.

"It'll be another two good teams that you can get, so we relish the challenge.

"If we can play like we did at home and away from home, then I think we're a match for anyone."

Callum McGregor, the Celtic captain, has been speaking to TNT Sports.

"We knew the objective tonight was to win the game. The pressure was on us to get through it.

"Overall, I think a decent campaign. Obviously one or two games that put us up against it.

"But when the pressure was on, we managed to deliver results and a very good performance."

The former Celtic skipper saw plenty of positives in that game, including Tierney getting through another big game.

Brown also tells TNT Sports: "There's always going to be a few issues coming back into a team when Martin's not really had the lads at the start of the season to get his own implements in; how he wants to play, how he wants to press, how he wants to defend.

"Now he's got that opportunity. You never know what could happen in the transfer market. There's a good few days left.

"I'm sure they'll be looking at another centre half."

We are still waiting for the results from elsewhere to come in, but we knew a victory tonight would secure a top 24 place.

They have done just that. The live league table has them in 21st.

The draw for the play-offs is tomorrow.

Tierney is off, replaced by Murray

And we're into them now

The substitute aims for the far corner from 20 yards, but the Utrecht defence stand strong.

Blake comes off, with Van Den Berg his replacement, while El Arguooui is on for Zechiel.

The substitute curls a deep ball towards the back post, and Barkas has to tip it around for the corner.

Things have been much better for the visitors since getting their first goal, and they are still having a go here.

Celtic are pressing high, so Utrecht are finding it tough to get close to the 18-yard box, but they are doing their utmost to make a contest of it.

Menzo is on for Cathline.

Engels and Yang come off, with Bernardo and Luke McCowan their replacements

With their 4-2 advantage, the live league table currently as Celtic sitting in 20th place.

Amazingly, five teams sit below them by just a point, which shows how crucial that Trusty goal was.

Another good Celtic move breaks down when the forward gets to the edge of the box, only to find his path to goal blocked.

Maeda is off, as is Tounekti. Forrest and Iheanacho come on.