Celtic host Celta Vigo in Europa League clash both sides desperately need to win

Celtic face Celta Vigo at Celtic Park in the Europa League league phase, with Martin O’Neill’s side desperate to open their account after losing their opening two fixtures without scoring more than once in either.

The Bhoys have endured a difficult start to the competition, falling 3-1 to Ferencvaros at home before suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to Benfica in Lisbon. Two games in, Celtic sit without a point and with a goal difference of minus five.

Celta Vigo arrive in Glasgow in similarly poor form. The Spanish side have also lost both of their opening league-phase matches, conceding late goals in defeats to Omonoia and Juventus. With neither club yet off the mark, Thursday’s fixture has the feel of a must-win encounter for both camps.

The meeting represents a significant opportunity for Celtic to arrest their slide before the league phase becomes unmanageable. Europa League sides finishing in the top eight at the end of the league phase advance directly to the round of 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th enter a knockout play-off round. Teams below 24th are eliminated entirely, giving every result from this stage genuine weight.

For Celta, a trip to Scotland offers a chance to reset against opposition at the same level of distress in the table. Their defeats have come against sides with greater European pedigree, and a positive result in Glasgow could quickly shift the mood around a squad that remains capable in La Liga.