Celtic face Bayer Leverkusen tonight in Matchday 2 of the Europa League. Ange Postecoglou’s side lost 4-3 to Real Betis on the opening day in Seville whilst the Bundesliga side picked up a 2-1 victory on the at home to Ferencvaros. Now, all eyes will be on Celtic Park as Postecoglou’s injury ravaged team looks to take a major scalp.
Leverkusen are second in the German top flight and travel to Glasgow with hopes of a win amidst the backdrop of Paradise under the lights. Celtic have hit hard by injuries lately but hopefully, the crowd and the conditions can help secure a home win. Celtic are without a number of players. Kyogo, Callum McGregor and Giakoumakis trained but they are still doubts. James McCarthy was forced from the pitch at he weekend but he has passed fit and is ready to go.
Team News
Josip Juranovic will be out for a few weeks after a hamstring concern in the weekend’s draw with Dundee United. This leaves the manager with a headache given Greg Taylor is injured. Bolingoli isn’t registered leaving Liam Scales and Adam Montgomery as his options down the left.
Christopher Jullien remains out, along with James Forrest and Mikey Johnston. Callum McGregor, Kyogo and even Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis could feature in the squad with the two forwards likely to be on the bench. There is more chance that the captain Callum McGregor could play for perhaps an hour, although Ange Postecoglou will be mindful that there’s a huge game on Sunday up at Pittodrie.
Kick-off Time
The game kicks off at 8pm (Celtic Park Time). The game is heading towards a sell-out as there are only a limited number of tickets available in section 119 for those still looking to get a ticket.
UPDATE – Standard Tickets Now Sold Out!
Standard tickets for tonight's match are now sold out.
— celticfctickets (@CelticFCTickets) September 30, 2021
Anyone still looking .. there are still some available seats in section 119 for tonights game. Just need to go on and purchase 🍀 pic.twitter.com/M98RSbvGv2
— Celtic Spares (@SparesCeltic) September 30, 2021
Where to watch
The game will be on BT Sport, commencing after theRangers play in Prague. It will available as usual on Celtic TV for fans living outside of Britain and Ireland.
Champions League MD2 ✅#UEL and #UECL MD2 🔜
The midweek European football continues tonight with a full spread of Thursday night fixtures 🙌 pic.twitter.com/vLajYeBc29
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 30, 2021
The support
There is some confidence kicking around the support ahead of the game but that is tempered with a realisation that Ange has a huge job on his hands, the rebuild is still in the early stages and his squad is hammered by these terrible injury problems.
I feel a mix of emotions as we approach tonight’s game. I’m excited as I always am before @CelticFC play. I’m optimistic to see our new Greek striker and hopefully Kyogo and Calmac start their return, but sadly I’m fearful of a moral sapping result. That said Come on the Hoops HH pic.twitter.com/DVOTk5tV6F
— Celtic Gossip (@CelticGossip) September 30, 2021
The NPCSC chariot has arrived in Glasgow for @CelticFC v @bayer04_en in @EuropaLeague tonight. Long day for the bhoys and ghirls as it was a 4am departure from Dublin this morning and it’ll be 9am tomorrow before we’re back; just the 29hour round trip, all to see the Celtic 🍀💚 pic.twitter.com/VtX8WQ3x8R
— Naomh Padraig CSC (@NaomhPadraigCSC) September 30, 2021
Europa League action tonight
🍀 Celtic v Bayer Leverkusen 🇩🇪
📺 McGettigans Dwtc
🕰 kick off 11pm
🍻 Members bevy deal from 10pm 190aed
🎟 show membership card to get the deal
📝 AGM minutes sent to members today👕 new polo shirts ready for collection. pic.twitter.com/Z7C3Nv5Nnz
— Dubai Hoops CSC (@DubaiHoopsCSC) September 30, 2021
A result tonight would be a huge boost for Celtic going into Sunday’s game.Then,after the international break,we should have key players returning. So whilst Sunday’s game is the most important, tonight’s match can’t be dismissed – not that European football ever should be anyway
— Liam Kelly (@cfcliamk96) September 30, 2021
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