Why Celtic bench heroes did not start against Besiktas as Martin O'Neill explains decision-making

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill made no apologies for keeping his Europa League heroes in reserve - revealing it was always the plan to unleash goalscorers Camilo Duran and Callum Osman on Besiktas at the hour mark.

Duran netted twice and Osmand also popped up with a goal as Celtic defeated Besiktas 3-2 in Glasgow to breathe life into their Europa League campaign.

Celtic needed a victory after three opening losses in the competition and now sit 32nd in the standings. O'Neill believes the win over what he labelled "a fine Besiktas side" gives them a chance of progression to the knockout stages.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill celebrates after the Europa League win over Besiktas at Celtic Park. | PA

The 74-year-old rotated his team due to fatigue and a heavy schedule, and deserved praise for bringing on Duran and Osmand - his most dynamic forwards - when the game became open.

"I'm not standing up for myself, absolutely not, not at all," said O'Neill. "It was designed to do exactly what it did. We have been playing Sunday, Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, Wednesday, whatever day it happens to be. We have played, I don't know what, nine games in 23 days or 24 days.

"Some players need a little breather, and you can get re-energised from coming on the field. I'm going to say that this was exactly our plan, and those players who came on, were going to come on, at some stage or another in the game."

O'Neill urged his Celtic team to build on the victory both in the Premiership and in Europe, with Kilmarnock visiting Parkhead on Sunday. He also hailed the character of his players for recovering from the concession of the opener and then a late leveller.

Celtic's Camilo Duran scores to make it 2-1 over Besiktas at Celtic Park. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group

"We've given ourselves a chance because of the result," continued O'Neill. "The game was quite difficult but we came through it. We came through with flying colours.

"They were really, really terrific. We could have caved in. We were doing fine after the penalty goes in but we came roaring back. They all played their parts, obviously, in a big, big manner. But it was everything that we'd shown, I think, and it might just give us a sort of a platform to charge on.

"It's not going to be easy but at least we can park the European events for a few weeks' time but this definitely gives us a chance. That's what it does.

"In every aspect I thought we played some really lovely stuff as well too and they are a very fine side, there's no question about it. Very fine team. But, as you say, the character shone through in the side, no question about that. Some of these lads who have been at the football club for some time, who have been big winners at the football club, I thought they came to the fore. And also some of the lads who joined us, big performances."

Duran was the hero once again, with his goal tally now at 13, and O'Neill said of his talisman: "If you're talking about knowing your best side, he'll be in the side. He looked a wee bit tired in the last couple of games. Totally expected to be. It's been really tough. A lot of games that these lads are playing. But he's class player. Class player."