Celtic’s Europa League squad has been confirmed and there are more than a few talking points as three summer signings miss out while there is no place for Jota who has yet to return to action after his cruciate ligament injury in April 2025…
The three new signings who miss out so will NOT feature for Celtic in the eight game league phase of the Europa League are Joel van den Berg, the 19-year-old bought from PSV Eindhoven, plus the two on-loan Chelsea starlets – Shim Mheuka and Landon Emenalo.
Celtic fans got their first glimpse of Mheuka in action last night in the 3-0 win over Aberdeen at Celtic Park, and they certainly liked what they saw. Landon Emenalo has signed for the Scottish Champions despite carrying an injury.
Martin O’Neill last night explained that he is gambling that it’s a risk worth taking and we can expect to see Emenalo in action in the hectic domestic schedule.
One player who is also currently injured but does make the squad is Callum Osmand, scorer of that iconic goal against Hearts that wrapped up the title for Celtic back in May. At the weekend Osmand went over on his ankle in the win against Falkirk and is likely to be sidelined for a few weeks.
Discussing the Europa League list, Martin O’Neill pointed out that domestic football remains a priority so it looks like a case of horse for courses in the European and domestic matches until the end of January.
The Celtic manager, as reported by BBC Sport, explained: “There are obviously some very tough decisions to be made in putting this squad together for the Europa League.
“It’s a difficult list and, for me, the most important thing is our domestic football.
“Of course, we’re disappointed about the Champions League, but the Europa League is still very strong and we want to try and do as well as we possibly can in that,” the Celtic boss said.
“But the players we have signed, we want them to make a mark initially in the domestic scene, which is the most important thing for us at this stage.
“Then we’ve got a chance to perhaps change things in February if we’re still in contention.”
Here’s the full Celtic squad for the Europa League’s League Phase…
Goalkeepers: Viljami Sinisalo, Sam Johnstone, Ross Doohan.
Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Jordan Lotomba, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Dane Murray, Colby Donovan, Anthony Ralston, Kieran Tierney.
Midfielders: Benjamin Nygren, Luke McCowan, Oliver Sørensen, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mika Baur, Callum McGregor.
Forwards: Kasper Høgh, Camilo Duran, Yang Hyun-jun, Sebastian Tounekti, Callum Osmand, Haissem Hassan, James Forrest.
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3 Comments
With the injury that Alistair Johnston has, why is he in the squad. He will never be fit enough for the Europa league games. And as for Luke MCcowan he should not be in any squad.
Shouldn’t be overly surprised with the lack of first team football, within our 3 youngsters imo?
As for Jota, we have seen already with CCV, that it’s taking a few months to get up to full match fitness?
So hopefully Jota, can be considered as 1 of our 3 changes allowed, for the knockout phase of the europa league?
And even the 3 other youngsters, might be able to make a claim for a position also, especially if injuries are going to have an impact upon ourselves?
At least, it might make the January window totally irrelevant also?
However, still plenty to like about our squad, especially with such an attacking intention about it imo?
Good balance throughout, with plenty of variable options within it also?
Even got the options available to change team shape, and not remaining so 1 dimensional if MoN should want to imo?
The 3 youngsters who missed out on the europa league squad, will have a role to play within our Scottish campaign.
The enthusiasm of youth, could well be required during the 3 matches in a week programme, and keeping freshness within our squad, with the demands of the footballing calendar in operation nowadays.
A huge boost for MoN also, is that the mentality of AJ remains good, by the looks of things?
So no real concerns about AJ preforming when needed?
Wasn’t always the case last season, from key player’s within our europa league squad?
The age profile of so many incoming players, should even increase and make our player trading model, even stronger? This with having to form a new core group within our squad building process?
Hopefully that has been achieved, with reduced squad numbers required, summer after summer, which effects squad stability so hugely, especially with CL qualification games in operation?
Can’t see that being an issue next season, even with the prospect of a new manager in place imo?
With an overall squad in place now, with no real shortage of teenagers within it. Hope now that can act as a springboard for our own potential youngsters? Instead of heading south, when the first opportunity arises for them?
Showing that a potential pathway to our first team, is actually achievable? Hopefully will pay dividends for ourselves within future European campaigns imo?
We still lack physicality in midfield for me. Criminal summer window as we could/should have resolved that early doors. Instead we get the usual story of ‘greedy clubs’, the CEO ‘working hard’, submitting offers that they know will be rejected and their favourite outcome: loans loans and more loans while stockpiling FANS cash. Anyhow, I would much prefer to see a young player in there instead of McCowan, he is not good enough, full stop. Same with Ralston, get a young player in the squad, someone who might actually be able to run if needed. Centre half is a worry, we should have strengthened here, however let’s see what Murray can offer this season 🤞