As the final few seconds of the contest ebbed away, Brendan Rodgers took a brief moment to survey the chaotic scene unfolding around him.
Young Boys were pushing for a late equaliser, but Kasper Schmeichel landed on the ball. Ninety-five minutes had been played. The game was up.
Celtic Park was in a state of ecstasy. The 12-year wait to reach the knock-out rounds of the Champions League was over.
This coveted victory saw Celtic achieve their stated aim with a game to spare.
It also offered vindication for the manager and those above him who ignored the noise and brought him back to the club in 2023.
After three failed attempts to crack the code across two spells, Rodgers has returned the club to where it feels it belongs.
Adam Idah looks on as his shot deflects off Young Boys skipper Loris Benito for the only goal
Idah takes the acclaim after Benito’s OG secured progress to the knockout stages for Celtic
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers salutes the Parkhead supporters at the end of the match
For so long a participator in this competition, Celtic are competing in it once again.
The success has stemmed from showing more mettle on the road, but primarily though restoring the reputation of Celtic Park as a place where opposing teams fear to tread.
Having taken just five points from a possible 18 at home in the past two campaigns, this time Celtic gleaned 10 from 12. The walls of their fortress have been ballasted.
A trip to Villa Park next week now comes without a sense of jeopardy. Rodgers’ side will need a win and some good fortune from elsewhere to yet sneak into the top-eight and go straight to the last 16. It’s unlikely yet possible.
They’ve certainly earned that free hit. A bleak night in Dortmund aside, they’ve been hugely impressive along the way. Capable of battering RB Leipzig at home and shutting out Atalanta away, the side has evolved and matured.
The Swiss made for obdurate opponents and were only undone by a late own goal by their skipper Loris Benito.
Celtic didn’t dominate in the way they’d hoped to, yet they showed resilience when they had to. The hung in there knowing a point would have been no disaster, but came strong at the end to edge it. In terms if chances created, they deserved it and all this will now bring.
The barnstorming start they had hoped for didn’t materialise. This had as much to do with the defensive yellow wall Young Boys threw up as it did with Celtic’s lack of guile.
Hopes that Kyogo Furuhashi had provided the early breakthrough were dashed by an offside flag.
Nicolas Kuhn’s first involvement was typical, darting in off the right flank and winding up a shot. The slightest deflection took it wide.
Daizen Maeda’s interception allowed Reo Hatate to release Furuhashi. A weak shot didn’t trouble Marvin Keller.
Arne Engels took a while to get going. Once he did, the Belgian released Kuhn. Only a brilliantly-timed clearance by Mohamed Ali Camara prevented Furuhashi from netting from three yards.
The Swiss were happy to camp in their own half they still had their moments, none more so than when Joel Monteiro forced Kasper Schmeichel to parry his swerving strike from 30 yards.
Hopes of a penalty when Cheikh Niasse clumsily caught Maeda came to nothing.
Hatate shifted his feet on the edge of the box and got a shot away. The keeper saw it late and turned it away for a corner.
Callum McGregor’s challenge on Niasse saw him seemingly win the ball high up the park. Furuhashi bobbed and weaved and stroked the ball home. The intervention of VAR saw referee Rohit Saggi trek towards the monitor to deem the skipper’s intervention illegal.
Maeda was getting enough encouragement down the left. Another cross picked out Furuhashi. For the third time in the first half, the forward netted. The linesman’s flag ensured he had still to get on the scoresheet.
You sensed the Swiss were beginning to feel the pace. When Greg Taylor got goalside of Darian Males, a lazy hand on the shoulder saw the full-back hit the turf. Penalty.
Normally so dependable from 12 yards, Engels’ broke his run up. The keeper didn’t take the bait, waited for the ball to be struck before moving. He made a simple save to his left.
Celtic finished the half with a flurry. Furuhashi caught Engels’ corner sweetly but an outstretched leg ensured the ball was turned behind. Hatate had a fizzing shot parried then sent a volley narrowly over.
Arne Engels sees his spot-kick saved as Celtic failed to make a first-half breakthrough
Rodgers’ men had fashioned enough chances, but the final product was again lacking.
The theme continued after the turnaround. Angels’ shot was fumbled by the keeper. Maeda put the rebound over the bar with his head.
Maeda worked a smart one-two with Engels. Keller blocked the winger’s angled drive before repelling a McGregor strike.
Another Engels’ corner was claimed by Auston Trusty. This time the bar saved the Swiss.
Celtic were pushing, but there were moments of anxiety. Schmeichel produced an outstanding double-save to prevent Darian Males putting the visitors ahead.
The introduction of former Rangers striker Cedric Itten merely added to the tension.
Paulo Bernardo was asked to introduce some dynamism, but he was sloppy on the ball. The Portuguese was hardly alone in that.
Just when it looked like it would end in frustration, a momentum of quality turned it in Celtic’s favour. Hatate dropped a shoulder on the left flank, left his man for dead and sent a peach of a ball in behind the defence.
Fresh off the bench, Adam Idah charged towards goal, His strike was saved but rebounded off Benito and inched over the line. Cue bedlam.
The final moments would have been frantic enough. A red card for Maeda at VAR’s behest after an initial yellow had been given for kicking Camara made it even more so.
But they got there. And they are there. The nearly men of the Champions League no more.
