Celtic and Celta Seek First Europa League Points in Glasgow
Celtic meet Celta Vigo at Celtic Park on Thursday with both sides still without a point in this season's Europa League league phase.
Celtic's domestic results offer little comfort in the Europa League table. The Glasgow club welcome Celta Vigo on Thursday evening with both clubs still looking for their first points of the league phase.
The match kicks off at 20:00 BST on 22 October at Celtic Park, a time confirmed by Celtic's official match information. Two defeats apiece have left the teams in a position where avoiding another setback is already becoming important.
Celtic opened their European campaign with a 3-1 home loss to Ferencváros before suffering a 4-1 defeat at Benfica. Celta's first match ended in a 1-0 defeat to Omonia, followed by a 2-1 loss to Juventus. UEFA's competition records confirm the four results.
Those scores tell different stories. Celtic have conceded seven goals in two games and will need greater control without the ball. Celta have kept their opponents closer but have still been unable to turn performances into points. The fixture offers both sides an opportunity to change that pattern rather than merely improve their goal difference.
Domestic confidence, European pressure
Celtic's build-up has at least brought a convincing domestic result: a 7-1 Scottish Premiership victory over Hearts at the weekend. That win contrasts sharply with the club's European form and gives the home side a basis for confidence without changing the league-phase arithmetic.
Manager Martin O'Neill has acknowledged the need for a result at home, according to reports ahead of the game. His side will be playing in front of its own supporters, but Celta arrive with the same urgency after defeats to Omonia and Juventus. Neither team can take the occasion as a guarantee of an easy recovery.
This season's expanded league phase gives both clubs further opportunities after Thursday, but points gained early can make a substantial difference to the task facing them later in the winter. The immediate stakes are straightforward: one of the two teams could finally get off the mark, while a draw would leave them each with only a single point after three matches.
Confirmed selections and any late injury news should be checked against the official teamsheets before this preview is published.
Kick-off: Thursday 22 October, 20:00 BST. Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow.
Musa Ersoy
Musa Ersoy is an editor and writer at DEFUXA Global News, covering developments in the United Kingdom and around the world. He researches news stories using official statements, credible sources and independently verifiable information. His editorial work focuses on factual ac…
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