Celtic face Feyenoord in the UEFA Europa League this evening. Martin O’Neill takes the Scottish Champions to Rotterdam to face the Dutch side as both look to address their poor European form. Robin Van Persie’s side sit two places below Celtic in the table, managing just three points in their opening four games.
Celtic had to dig deep to get all three points on Saturday night’s win against St Mirren with a stunning strike from Callum McGregor settling the affair in injury time. Celtic are passive in the display in Paisley and you would expect a couple of changes this evening in order to liven things up, with Martin O’Neill may also opt for a change in formation, using a 3-5-2.
Celtic Team News
Celtic are bolstered by the return of Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi to the squad after both trained yesterday at Celtic Park and travelled with the squad to Rotterdam. The pair suffered hamstring injuries last month but have worked their way back to fitness and likely to be on the bench this evening. Whilst the returning players give Celtic a boost, there are still a number of absences in the squad with Jota, Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers all long term absentees.
Kasper Schmeichel will as usual start in goals. The backline, assuming no change in formation, will likely remain unchanged with Auston Trusty and Liam Scales continuing as the central pairing with Tony Ralston and Kieran Tierney in the full back slots.
Benji Nygren has a goal threat and you’d expect him to come into the midfield alongside the deeper pair of captain Callum McGregor and Arne Engels.
Daizen Maeda will likely start through the middle with Seb Tounetki and Yang in the wide areas. The South Korean attacker showed himself to be direct in the closing stages against St Mirren and that’s what Celtic have been missing.
Predicted Celtic XI: Schmeichel; Tierney, Scales, Trusty, Ralston; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Yang, Maeda, Tounetki.
Match Officials
UEFA has confirmed that Austrian referee Sebastian Gishamer be in charge. Gishamer, who took charge of a Celtic UCL qualifier win back in 2020, will be assisted by compatriots Roland Riedel and Santino Schreiner.
Alexander Harkam will act as the fourth official, while Italian refereeing duo Marco Di Bello and his assistant Daniele Chiffi will be on VAR.
Kick Off Time
The game kicks off at 17:45 (Celtic Park Time).
Where to Watch
The game will be live on TNT Sports 3 and Discovery+, with coverage beginning at 5pm. For other countries see UEFA.com for broadcaster details.
Club legend Martin O’Neill will take charge for the penultimate game before making way after the game against Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday with Wilfried Nancy expected to be confirmed as the new permanent manager on Monday, before taking charge of the midweek game against Dundee at Celtic Park.
There may be some merit in having MON elevated onto the Celtic Board, given his exemplary record and the fact that he appears to have the ear of Dermot Desmond.
Feyenoord v Celtic – Predicted Score
Is this the day we win away? While it would be wonderful I’d bite your hand off at the moment for a 1-1 draw.
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