Javi Rodriguez double hands Celtic third straight Europa League defeat

Celta Vigo came from behind to beat Celtic 2-1 at Parkhead on Thursday, with Javi Rodriguez scoring twice in three minutes after Mika Baur had put the hosts ahead. The result left Martin O'Neill's side without a point from their opening three Europa League league-phase matches.

Watch the highlights:

The Guardian reported that Celtic had already lost to Ferencvaros and Benfica before the Spanish club's visit. Their latest defeat added to an unsuccessful European campaign that had also included elimination from Champions League qualifying by LASK, who won that tie 5-4 on aggregate after Celtic had led 4-0 at one stage.

Baur broke the deadlock in the 47th minute after Haissem Hassan's cross was deflected into his path, according to Sky Sports' match report. Celtic then had an opportunity to extend their advantage when Liam Scales met another Hassan delivery with a header, only for the ball to strike the crossbar.

Rodriguez changed the match with two different finishes. He first headed in from a free-kick to bring Celta level, then scored from outside the penalty area after Celtic failed to clear. The home side could not produce an equaliser, with a late effort from Colby Donovan comfortably saved following a pass from James Forrest.

Baur's post-match assessment focused on Celtic's failure to recover control after conceding. In comments reported by BBC Sport, the midfielder said his side needed to hold possession longer to interrupt their opponents' momentum. He could not explain why they had been unable to do so. The BBC also recorded Scales as Celtic's busiest player on the ball, with 121 touches compared with Kieran Tierney's 79 and goalkeeper Sam Johnstone's 69.

O'Neill told Sky Sports that the missed chance to make it 2-0 had been significant, but acknowledged Celtic then conceded from a set piece and lost momentum. Despite the setback, he maintained that his team could still win both at home and away in the competition. Celtic's next European match is at home to Besiktas on 5 November, according to the BBC.