Sunday’s game against Hearts at Tynecastle is for me definitely the most important one, but tonight the Celtic support under the lights at Paradise will demand a good performance and a positive result against SK Strum Graz in the Europa League…
Kelechi Iheanacho. Dundee v Celtic. 19 October 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Tonight sees Celtic take on Austrian side Strum Graz in match day three of our Europa League campaign, and it’s vital we get maximum points if we have any aspirations of making the knockout stages.
With just one point from our opening two matches against Red Star Belgrade and Sporting Braga, Brendan Rodgers understands the need for his side to pick up three points this evening or he can pretty much wave goodbye to what is looking like his final campaign as Celtic manager.
However, despite all that, it would be fair and reasonable to state that the game pales into insignificance compared to Sunday’s vital clash in the capital as we take on high flying Hearts at Tynecastle and that’s a real six pointer with the chance to reduce the gap to two points or if things go badly to fall eight points behind Derek McInnes’ side who would really fancy their chances of pulling off a shock title win, the first from a club outside of Glasgow since Aberdeen won the league in 1985.
Dundee v Celtic. 19 October 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Usually it’s Europe that’s our main focus, but Sunday now takes precedence as we can’t afford to give the Jambos any sort of title winning encouragement. It’s vital Celtic get all three points from a title perspective as well as a physiological one, although perhaps a draw would be acceptable in the wider circumstances.
That of course doesn’t mean that tonight is any less meaningful though, as we as Celtic supporters still demand a decent performance and long overdue good result, given the substandard football we’ve had to endure these past few games. We need to rediscover our form and that winning mentality, and fast. We badly need the confidence booster of a good win in Europe and that will stand us in good stead for the game against Hearts.
Kasper Schmeichel. Dundee v Celtic. 19 October 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Improving in Europe is a major challenge for the club, but just this once I’d think you’d all agree that Sunday takes top billing in terms of its wider importance. Celtic should be good enough to win both these matches. Come 8pm tonight it’s going to be down to the players to show that’s an accurate assessment of their quality. Then all eyes will turn to Tynecastle.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Celtic in the Thirties in Two Volumes – Brilliantly researched and written by Matt Corr. An unmissable addition to any Celtic bookshelf. Click on the image below to order your copies…
Celtic in the Thirties, Vol 1 & 2 by Matt Corr. Published by Celtic Star Books – Click on image to order
Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order your copies…
