After a heavy European defeat to Benfica, the Scottish Premiership returned to Celtic with a heart-pounding 7-1 victory. Martin O’Neill’s men now face a fresh Europa League challenge as Spanish outfit Celta Vigo travel to Parkhead on Thursday night.
Both teams are looking for their first exit, having lost their opening two games in this competition. Hungarian side Ferencvárosi humiliated Circles in gameweek 1 before the week’s humiliation in Portugal. Celta suffered setbacks against Cypriot club Omonoia and Serie A giants Juventus. The next match would be with Celts having to increase their home advantage this midweek.
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Predicted 4-2-3-1 Celtic Lineup to Face Celta Vigo
Viljami Sinisalo has been reinstated as number 1 after losing the spot to Sam Johnstone for a season. The Finnish guard is expected to keep his place between the sticks against the Celestial Bones.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – OCTOBER 18: Callum Osmand of Celtic congratulates Camilo Durán of Celtic after they combine for the fourth goal in the William Hill Premiership 2026/27 match between Celtic and Heart Midlothian, at Celtic Park on October 18, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
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O’Neill prefers a left-footed formation in deep defence, which has prompted him to deploy Dan Murray amid Cameron Carter-Vickers’ injury absence. Liam Scales should get the nod over the Auston faithful after a strong performance against the Jambos. Kieran Tierney remains the obvious choice on the left, and so is Colby Donovan, who should feature as a right back over Anthony Ralston and Jordan Lotomba.
Midfield
Captain Callum McGregor is indispensable because of his experience, vision and ability to dictate tempo as a deep-lying player. His presence on the base allows Mika Baur to run the box and work in advanced areas. Benjamin Nygren is on a roll with 8 goals and 7 assists in 15 appearances throughout the competition. His creative spark and decisive moves made the ‘number 10’ key to opening up space in the Celtic defence. Oliver Sorensen, Luke McCowan and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be involved from the bench to show their versatility in the middle of the park.
Although Callum Osmand was taken off at half-time with a slight hamstring strain, the gaffer expects him to be available tomorrow, as he is now likely to get the start ahead of Sebastian Tounekti. Haissem Hassan, still looking for a maiden Celtic goal, should retain the right wing role. Iota’s ineligibility and injury to Hyun-jun Yang leave them with James Forrest and Tounekti as the other wide attacking options.
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An attack
Kasper Hogh has struggled to clear his hefty price tag, but Camilo Duran, signing next summer, is in flying form. With 9 goals and 5 assists already, Colombia must display their skill, precision and resilience while attacking.