Celtic prepare for Benfica test amid injury doubts
Mika Baur said Celtic’s left-side rotation with Sebastian Tounekti and Kieran Tierney unsettled Motherwell. Tounekti’s display boosts his case to start at Benfica.
Former Celtic defender Hayato Inamura has kept seven straight clean sheets for Tokyo FC after a brief, one-game spell in Glasgow before his summer exit.
Liam Scales backed Dane Murray to succeed at Celtic, saying injuries held him back but praising his strength, pace, defending and quality on the ball.
Celtic’s Premiership trip to Aberdeen has been moved to Sunday December 20, 12pm, for Sky Sports coverage. The Dundee away game on December 2 will also be live on Premier Sports.
Benfica boss Marco Silva said B-team players could get minutes against Celtic in Lisbon, with injuries affecting his squad. Celtic go there after ending a three-game losing run with a 2-0 win at Motherwell.
Predicted Celtic XI at Benfica: Viljami Sinisalo, Kieran Tierney, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty, Colby Donovan, Callum McGregor, Mika Baur, Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Tounekti, Camilo Durán and Kasper Hogh, with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston out.
Liam Scales said Celtic must improve in Europe and use last season’s Feyenoord win as the blueprint for Thursday’s tough Europa League trip to Benfica.
Ahead of Benfica v Celtic, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Yang Hyun-jun are doubts for Celtic, while Alistair Johnston remains out. Benfica are without Jakub Kaminski, Alexander Bah and Enzo Barrenechea.
Charlie Mulgrew and Barry Ferguson revisited a fiery legends clash after Celtic beat Rangers in the final, with Mulgrew admitting his celebrations boiled over.
Hearts investor Tony Bloom said Celtic's 3-1 title-clinching win still hurts after Hearts led the table for 250 days, though he still believes they can win the Premiership.
On loan at Gent, Michel-Ange Balikwisha has scored and helped them go top of the Belgian Pro League - something he never managed during his limited Celtic spell.
Celtic fans praised the 2-0 win at Motherwell but many urged Martin O’Neill to drop Kasper Hogh and play scorer Camilo Durán through the middle.
Martin O’Neill’s comments on Rangers and doubts over Celtic’s Europa League level have angered some supporters despite the 2-0 win away to Motherwell.
Fares Ghedjemis’ agent said there is fresh interest from abroad after Celtic and Rangers failed to land the attacker in the summer due to Frosinone’s price.
Celtic can earn €450k for a win at Benfica or €150k for a draw in the Europa League league phase. Defeat brings no performance payment.
David Moyes came through Celtic's youth ranks, made 35 appearances, won the 1981-82 league title and later said leaving Parkhead in 1983 was something he regretted.
Sky's Dermot Gallagher said Motherwell's Lukas Fadinger was lucky to avoid conceding a penalty when Callum McGregor's shot struck his arm in Celtic's win.
Charlie Methven questioned Dermot Desmond’s influence at Celtic, arguing his role as a non-executive raises accountability and stock market governance concerns.
Celtic's annual foundation mass will be held at St Mary’s, Calton, on 4 November at 7pm, marking the club’s 139th anniversary. Supporters of all faiths are welcome.
Martin O'Neill’s clear-the-air dressing-room meeting appears to have paid off as Celtic rediscovered their spark in a 2-0 win over Motherwell.
Celtic are reportedly monitoring David Moyes’ future at Everton amid ownership uncertainty, with Martin O’Neill not seen as a long-term option at Parkhead.
Boyhood Celtic fan Barry Bannan reacted to the Hoops’ 2-0 win at Motherwell and their return to the top of the Scottish Premiership with 'Back on top'.
One article argues Celtic’s best hope at Benfica is to sit deep, protect the midfield, keep a clean sheet and make it physical rather than try to match the hosts in open play.
