- The Parkhead side had to rely on an own goal from Young Boys captain Loris Benito after a tense night in the east end of Glasgow.
- But the club may have to enter the play-offs or beyond without Furuhashi after he was linked with a £10million move to Rennes.
- Furuhashi had three goals disallowed and Arne Engels had his penalty saved before Adam Idah forced a vital own goal.
Brendan Rodgers praised the courage of his players as Celtic stormed into the Champions League last 16 for the first time in 12 years with a 1-0 win over Young Boys.
They needed an own goal from visiting captain Loris Benito with four minutes left on an incredibly tense night, after Adam Idah forced a save from goalkeeper Marvin Keller.
But it looks increasingly likely that they will not have Kyogo Furuhashi for the play-off round or beyond, with reports in France claiming he will join Rennes for £10m.
Rodgers was delighted to progress after a first half in which Furuhashi had three goals disallowed and Arne Engels had a penalty saved. Daizen Maeda was sent off with a minute left for kicking Mohamed Ali Camara, but Celtic held on.
“Obviously, when we lost the penalty, it can shake you up, but it was never like that,” Rodgers said after his team qualified with a game to spare, against Aston Villa. 'The players regained their composure and began to play.
“It's the highest level of European football so you expect them (the Young Boys) to go out and adapt a bit and have a bit of the ball.” But we stayed strong and persevered.
It's chaos at Celtic Park as fans celebrate with Idah after she forces a crucial own goal.
Idah watches as the ball bounces off Young Boys captain Loris Benito and into the net.
The Celtic striker runs out delighted as the club's progress in the European Championship is sealed
'I thought the players deserved it. I've been involved in a lot of the games here, where you end up launching that game and it's a little flat at the end. And even worse, losing a game when you shouldn't have.
“But for us to win shows the maturity and development of this team.
“There has been a lot of criticism of Celtic at this level. There is no doubt it is a challenge. But the players have stepped up.
“They have been absolutely magnificent during these seven games.”
Rodgers downplayed the personal aspect of Celtic returning to the knockout round in his second season after returning to the club.
“The club is always the most important thing,” he added. 'The fans, from the first whistle to the end, could see that the players needed a boost.
Brendan Rodgers is hugged by John Kennedy after a famous night for the Parkhead side
Rodgers applauds fans after they were patient during a very tense evening.
However, Furuhashi may have played his last game for Celtic, before a possible move to Rennes.
'So, it's a bit of created history. It's been a long time since we've been in the round of 16. So, for the fans, it's an incredible night.”
Celtic now travel to the Midlands knowing that a win could still see them sneak into the top eight.
Kasper Schmeichel celebrated the signing of a one-year contract until 2026 on Wednesday with a decisive double save in the second half.
“It was an incredible night,” said the Dane. “I've waited 20 years to play for a club like this, so it was a very easy decision (to sign a new contract).”