# Celtic manager O'Neill: 'Delighted' despite Benfica loss?

> Celtic manager O'Neill claims second-half performance 'delighted' after 4-1 Benfica defeat.
- Title: Celtic manager O'Neill: 'Delighted' despite Benfica loss?
- Summary: Celtic manager O'Neill claims second-half performance 'delighted' after 4-1 Benfica defeat. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill says his team's second-half…
- Keywords: martin oneill, celtic, hearts, benfica, europa league, scottish premier league, parkhead, sports, manager, O'Neill, 'Delighted', despite
- Source: Sky Sports — https://skysports.com/football/news/12040/13599884/martin-oneill-as-hearts-test-awaits-is-celtic-manager-right-to-be-delighted-despite-benfica-defeat
- Published: 2026-10-16T20:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: martin oneill, celtic, hearts, benfica, europa league, scottish premier league, parkhead, sports
## Celtic's recent form
Celtic have lost four of their last five matches across all competitions.
## Upcoming Hearts match
Celtic face Hearts in their first Parkhead meeting since last season's final-day decider on Sunday at 2:30pm.
## O'Neill's post-match comments
O'Neill praised Celtic's second-half performance after a 4-1 defeat to Benfica in the Europa League.
## O'Neill's 'delighted' claim
O'Neill said he was 'really, really delighted' with Celtic's second-half performance despite conceding three goals early.
## Benfica's first-half dominance
Benfica scored early via penalty to take a 1-0 lead before Celtic's second-half surge.
## Fan perspective
Tino Callaghan noted Celtic's first-half struggles and concerns about O'Neill's future.
## O'Neill's future uncertainty
O'Neill previously considered leaving after a gruelling week but stayed to face Hearts.
## Sutton's criticism
Former player Chris Sutton said O'Neill's comments about his future were a mistake.
## Hearts match stakes
Hearts are last season's Premiership runners-up, making Sunday's game a must-win for Celtic.
## O'Neill's qualification hope
O'Neill believes Celtic can still qualify for Europa League knockout stages despite current form.
## Celtic's recent results
Celtic lost to Rangers in League Cup, Ferencvaros in Europa League, and Motherwell in Scottish Premiership.
## Key takeaway

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill says his team's second-half performance was 'really, really delighted' despite a 4-1 loss to Benfica in Europa League.