Celtic face LASK in the UEFA Champions League Play-off on this evening as Martin O’Neill eyes one final crack at the Champions League before he calls time on his managerial career…
The Scottish Champions are looking to rectify their bruising exit against Kairat at this stage last season by qualifying for the most prestigious competition in football.
Martin O’Neill has a history of success in European football at Celtic and he will be eager to extend that with a further crack at Europe’s top competition. Celtic have scored ten goals in their first three games this season, with a couple of impressive away victories chalking up a 5-1 win against Kilmarnock before a 4-0 win away at Dundee United in the Premier Sports Cup.
Celtic Team News
Celtic go into the game with a number of notable absences. Alistair Johnston is out injured after picking up another muscle strain in the match against Kilmarnock. That injury looks certain to keep the Canadian right back sidelined until November.
Arne Engels moved onto West Ham at the weekend after telling the club that he did not wish to participate in the Champions League playoff matches incase he picked up a n injury himself. Â Celtic had until 11pm last night to add to the squad for these two playoff matches against LASK but no new arrivals were forthcoming. So that means Martin O’Neill will go with the squad that won so convincing at the weekend up at Tannadice against Dundee United.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is suspended for three matches so will miss both legs of the Champions League playoff and the next one after that, whether it’s in the Champions League or the Europa League (heaven forbid).
Predicted Celtic Team (4-2-3-1
Vil Sinisalo will start in goals. Celtic have been looking at a back four of Colby Donovan standing in for AJ at right back, a central defence pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty and Kieran Tierney back at left back after being rested for the win at Tannadice.
Celtic will have both Callum McGregor and new signing Mika Baur sitting with ahead a progressive three of Camilo Duran, Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti with Kasper Hogh playing through the middle as the Celtic 9.
Predicted Celtic Team
Predicted Celtic XI: Sinisalo: Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Tierney, ; McGregor, Baur, Nygren; Tounekti, Hogh, Duran.
Subs: Doohan; Scales, Murray, Ralston, McCowan, Hatate, Hassan, Yang, Osmand, Kenny and Forrest.
Match Officials
The game will be officiated by Swiss referee Sandro Scharer. The 38-year-old will be assisted by compatriots Stephane De Almeida and Jonas Erni. Meanwhile, Fedayi San is on VAR duties with Lukas Fahndrich assisting.
Celtic fans may recall Scharer as taking charge of the defeat against Real Madrid in 2022. He has taken charge of three Celtic games – qualification draws against FC Midtjylland and Rosenborg.
Kick Off Time
The game kicks off at 8pm (Celtic Park Time).
Where to Watch
The game will be shown on TNT Sports 1 to subscribers. TNT subscribers will also be able to catch the action online at HBO Max. Celtic Player subscribers will be able to access live audio commentary of the clash.
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1 Comment
Expecting Yang to start ahead of Seb, otherwise all the same within our starting line-up imo?
Even then, it still allows for potential game changers in Seb, Hassan and Hatate, with defensive cover in ralston and scales?
Don’t think we will put the tie to bed tonight, but we hardly need another stuggart display either, which i don’t expect either?
A hard fought victory will be acceptable, and feel a 3-1 victory could well be achieved imo?