Celtic will be desperate to open their Europa League account when they welcome Beşiktaş to Celtic Park on Thursday for their fourth league-phase fixture, having picked up nothing from their first three games.
Martin O’Neill’s team arrive in a difficult spell, sitting 35th in the Europa League after defeats in every continental match so far. Their latest setback came against Celta Vigo, where Celtic surrendered the lead before losing 2-1.
Their domestic form has not offered much comfort either: the Hoops have taken just two victories from their previous six competitive fixtures. That poor run continued with a surprising 2-0 loss away to Falkirk last Sunday.
Celtic team news
O’Neill has several important absences to deal with before the visit of Beşiktaş. Right-back Alistair Johnston is out after reaggravating a hamstring problem on his return against Hibernian, and he is not expected back until after the international break.
In the forward line, Yang Hyun-jun remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from the hamstring injury he picked up in September. Jota also cannot take part because he was left out of Celtic’s official Europa League squad after his lengthy knee injury.
There is at least one encouraging update: Kieran Tierney trained without restriction and should be available to start, even though he is carrying small knocks from the Falkirk match. His fitness is a welcome lift for a Celtic defence that badly needs to improve its European results.
Celtic predicted lineup
Possible Celtic starting XI: Johnstone; Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; Baur, McGregor; Duran, Nygren, Tounekti; Hogh
When will the match kick off?
The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Thursday, 5th November.
How to watch Celtic vs Besiktas?
Supporters in the United Kingdom can follow the match live on TNT Sports 3.
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