Martin O’Neill urged his Celtic side to focus on making it to the knockout stage of the Europa League after a second-half comeback against Besiktas that reminded him of the glory days against the continent’s elite at Parkhead.

The Premiership champions ran out 3-2 winners thanks to a dramatic 87th-minute clincher from two-goal substitute Camilo Duran and racked up their first points of the campaign to put themselves into 32nd place in the league phase table.

Celtic were a goal down to a Junior Olaitan effort on the rebound after a saved penalty when Duran, Callum Osmand and Colby Donovan were thrown on just after the hour and changed everything.

Osmand levelled with his first touch before Duran put Celtic ahead on 78 minutes. And after Orkun Kokcu had made it 2-2 in the 85th minute with a low drive, Duran popped up three minutes from time to complete a chaotic and badly needed victory.

Manager O’Neill confessed the atmosphere reminded him of his first spell in charge at the turn of the millennium when he led his side to famous wins over the likes of Juventus and Porto and took them to the UEFA Cup final in 2003.

Now, he has ordered his players to concentrate on at least making it into the top 24 of the Europa League and securing a play-off spot.

‘I was delighted with the performance,’ said O’Neill. ‘It was fantastic. We put our heart and soul into the game and played some really decent stuff, particularly in the second half.

‘Just when we thought we were going to drop two points, we came roaring back again to win. It was a magnificent effort by the team. So much spirit and heart and desire to go and claw their way not just into the game, but through it.

‘There was a bit of nervousness because we hadn’t a point on the board, but it had everything. We rose to the occasion tonight and what we’ve done is that we’ve given ourselves a chance. We always still think about trying to qualify.

‘Mostly, the crowd give us something and tonight was particularly special. A European night again and it reminded me of the olden days.’

O’Neill also defended his decision to leave Duran, Osmand, Donovan and Haissem Hassan out of the side in favour of the likes of Sebastian Tounekti, struggling record signing Kasper Hogh and Jordan Lotomba, who gifted the penalty-kick that gave Besiktas the lead early in the second period.

‘Lotomba had his first start for us and you are trying to find out as much as you can about players,’ said O’Neill. ‘I made some changes to the side to freshen things up knowing that some of the players — for instance, James Forrest, who was magnificent for us — might not last the game.

‘We had to give the opportunity because we have played a lot of games in relatively quick succession and we go again on Sunday.’

Osmand made a quickfire impression when smashing in a terrific goal from distance after taking a pass from Callum McGregor and has challenged his team-mates to keep delivering the kind of display that turned the game round in the last half-hour.

‘It caught me off guard. I know Cal is good at that reverse (pass) and I am just so glad I caught it nicely,’ said the talented 20-year-old.

‘In my head, I was all jittery and just wanted to come and do something. I want to make something happen and I am so happy with tonight.

‘We did really well to go and win the game. This is what we try to do. The place was rocking at the end and we need to keep bringing these sort of performances and doing well.

‘We have it in us. We have just got to try and keep doing it.’

Osmand also reserved special praise for Colombian hitman Duran in the wake of his matchwinning display.

‘Camilo did amazing. He is such a poacher and scores amazing ones and then poaching ones, so all credit to him,’ he stated.

‘I think the team dug in really well at the start. We stayed strong and got our rewards finally.’

Swedish attacker Benjamin Nygren believes that getting the Europa League campaign back under their own control is hugely important ahead of Celtic’s final four fixtures.

‘We fought very hard and earned the three points in the end. We fought well during the whole game and created enough chances to score more goals,’ said Nygren.

‘This was a very important game and we have it in our own hands with four games to go.

‘We go into every game to win it and we earned it today against a good opponent. We need to continue like this.’