Celtic v Besiktas – Team News, Referee Details, Kick-Off Time & Where to Watch

Three painful defeats has left Martin O’Neill’s side pointless and heading to the exit door of European football’s secondary level tournament. Tonight Celtic take on highly fancied Turkish team Besiktas at Celtic Park and we will certainly have to be at our very best to take anything from the game.

Jota is unavailable as he was not included in the squad registered by Celtic at the start of the campaign, due to his injury problem.

Celtic will be without Alistair Johnston and Yang this evening both recovering from recent injury issues with the South Korean probably being available for Sunday’s Scottish Premiership match against Kilmarnock, again at Celtic Park.

Auston Trusty misses out due to the his father passing away and the American will return to the club when he is ready to do so. Celtic has been outstanding in dealing with this sad situation and the thoughts and prayers of the Celtic support remain with the American defender.

“It’ll be our fourth game, and we need to get off the mark at some stage,” Martin O’Neill observed at yesterday pre-match media conference, with the Celtic Fan Media still disgracefully banned.

“I think that Liam (Scales – see above) and I would both come to that conclusion. I was told that, statistically speaking, any team who’s lost their first three games haven’t made it through. So, it doesn’t augur brilliantly for us, if that’s the case. But I know what he’s saying.

“I’ve watched them through. I didn’t get an opportunity until after Sunday’s game. But we’ve had people watching them, both live and on television.

“They are a real handful – no question. I didn’t realise this until I started watching that the centre-forward they have used to be here. I don’t know whether he has a point to prove or we have a point to prove.

“They’ve got obviously some really decent players and, so far, their points tally is terrific. They’ve got seven points in the first three games, so they’re flying in this competition.

“I think they might be slightly disappointed about their own league form, where they’re probably maybe expecting to be challenging a little bit closer, but it’s early days.”

“We’re definitely running out of matches, no question. But we are capable of still qualifying.’ If, let’s say, 10 points is the mark, it means you really have to go away and win, not draw.”

Sam Johnstone, still looking for a clean sheet at Celtic, will probably keep the gloves. The back four has three that pick themselves – Colby Donovan and Kieran Tierney as the two full-backs and Liam Scales as the left sided centre back.

There’s a decision to be made by the manager on whether he starts experienced defender Cameron Carter-Vickers who had a difficult afternoon at Falkirk on Sunday after replacing Dane Murray who had played in the previous six matches. Martin I reckon will opt to play Dane Murray.

The midfield is a huge concern this evening and the three who started on Sunday could get the nod again. That’s Callum McGregor, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mika Baur as Celtic look for more control in the centre of the park. While Benjamin Nygren is a goal threat he can be regarded as something of a luxury player and his lack of pressing is often the cause of Celtic’s woes.

The front three is another area of concern for the Haissem Hassan could get the nod on the right wing but needs to track back or we’ll be in trouble. Camilo Duran will play through the middle with Callum Osmand on the left hand side of the Celtic attack.

Subs for Celtic this evening will include Sinisalo, Doohan; Lotomba, Ralston, Emenalo, Carter-Vickers, Nygren, McCowan, Sorensen, Hogh, Tounekti and Forrest.

It’s a German crew arriving at Paradise this eveningto handle the officiating duties. The referee appointed by UEFA to handle Celtic v Besiktas is Sascha Stegemann and he will be assisted by Christof Gunsch and Marco Achmuller, with Martin Petersen appointed as the fourth official. Benjamin Brand will be on VAR duty, assisted by Patrick Hanslbauer.

Celtic v Besiktas takes place at Celtic Park this evening, Thursday 5th November 2026 and the Europa League contest kicks off at 8pm.

The Celtic v Besiktas match will be shown live on TNT Sports 3 with coverage starting at 7.45pm following on directly from FC Thun v Hearts match in the Conference League. Free highlights will posted on the TNT Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after Sascha Stegemann blows the full-time whistle.

More out of hope than expectation, Celtic to get things rolling in the Europa League with a fabulous 2-1 victory with Duran and Baur scoring for the Hoops and Oh netting against his old side, it always seems to happen!

Enjoy the game and make some noise for the Bhoys!

COYBIG!

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