Javi Rodríguez delivered the decisive performance in Glasgow as Celta came from behind to beat Celtic 2-1 and collect their first three points in the competition. For a player who usually lives by his work at the back, this was a night when he completely changed the story with two goals and a result that felt like a breakthrough after two bad results.
The scale of the result matters as much as the scoreline. Celta had arrived in Glasgow with questions to answer, but they left with a comeback win, a stronger sense of belief and a reminder that European nights can turn quickly when a team keeps insisting. Javi Rodríguez was the central figure in that turnaround, and the way he described the occasion made clear just how much it meant.
Giráldez was quick to highlight both the player and the wider significance of the night. “Javi? Tremendo, la renovación y estar bien físicamente le ha venido bien, ha sido increíble, ve la portería grandísima ahora. Me gusta que tengan días tan bonitos los que habitualmente igual pasan desapercibidos,” he said, underlining how a new deal and better physical condition have helped to unlock this version of the defender. He also pointed to the atmosphere around the team and the supporters, adding that the fans had been “espectaculares” on a “día precioso” that would stay in the memory.
Why Javi Rodríguez changed the game
This was not an isolated flash of form either. Two years ago, Javi Rodríguez scored three goals in his debut season with the first team, and last season he did not score at all. That is what makes this return to the scoresheet so notable. Four days before the Celtic match, he had already scored and assisted against Alavés at Balaídos, and now he has followed that up with two more in one of Celta’s toughest away settings.
He was clear after the match about the mood inside the squad and the importance of the occasion. “Desde el calentamiento ya vimos y sentimos a los 3.000 que era un partido importante tras dos malos resultados que lo hicimos sin jugar mal y esperemos ahora lograr más puntos desde ahora,” he said, pointing to the travelling support and the belief within the group. It was a straightforward message: Celta had not lost confidence, and the reward arrived in Glasgow.
A special European night for Celta
Javi Rodríguez also admitted that the evening had a slightly surreal feel. “Veníamos a un campo de Europa de los bonitos, ni me lo creo aún, y además dos goles, y viniendo de otro el fin de semana, y mira primeros tres puntos dando la vuelta la partido. Yo soy defensa, lo de siempre y si puedo marcar mejor,” he said. That sums up the story well: a defender doing the damage, a comeback completed, and Celta finally opening their account.
Giráldez’s broader assessment matched the player’s upbeat tone. “Hay que confiar en este grupo, el fútbol te acaba premiando,” he said, praising the team’s aggression, firmness and persistence. He felt Celta kept pushing even when the final touch was missing, and he was pleased that the rewards arrived for Hugo and Javi at the end of a match that had demanded patience as well as quality.
For Celta, the significance goes beyond the three points. This was a response after two poor results, a statement away from Balaídos and a reminder that the squad still has players capable of deciding big European games. For Javi Rodríguez, it was a night that felt special, and one that could give both him and Celta real momentum moving forward.
