Roma Crush Celtic 3-0 in Europa League Thriller: Ferguson Stars in Dominant Win

Roma delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Celtic in the UEFA Europa League at Celtic Park, marking a tough night for new Hoops boss Wilfried Nancy.

The match kicked off disastrously for Celtic, who fell behind after just six minutes when defender Liam Scales inadvertently headed a corner into his own net past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel[1][3]. Roma capitalized swiftly, with striker Evan Ferguson, recently urged to step up by manager Gian Piero Gasperini, netting a first-half brace to put the visitors 3-0 up at the break[1].

Celtic fans voiced their frustration, booing the team off at halftime amid a dismal display that saw Parkhead nearly empty by full time. Nancy, who stuck with the same lineup from a recent domestic loss to Hearts, made a triple substitution at the interval, bringing on players like Kelechi Iheanacho. A penalty from Arne Engels struck the post in first-half stoppage time, while Iheanacho's effort was ruled out for offside in the second half[1]. Roma's Leon Bailey also had a goal disallowed.

Gasperini praised his side's resilience post-match, highlighting five key changes including Ferguson, Niccolo Pisilli, Neil El Aynaoui, Devyne Rensch, and Stephan El Shaarawy, which injected freshness into the team. "These games are never easy to win," he noted, emphasizing the challenge of triumphing in packed, historic stadiums[2]. The win boosts Roma alongside successes for Italian clubs like Fiorentina and Bologna.

Celtic now sit 24th in the Europa League standings, clinging to a play-off spot on goal difference ahead of fixtures against Bologna and Utrecht. This marks Nancy's second straight loss in his first games as Celtic manager, the first such streak for a Hoops boss[1][3]. Roma, meanwhile, eye their next league clash with Como, navigating potential absences[2].