Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Aberdeen - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - July 31, 2022 Celtic players in a huddle before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Colby Donovan and Reo Hatate are in the Celtic side to face Bologna tonight in the Europa League.
Technically Martin O’Neill has made nine changes to the side that beat Auchinleck Talbot on Saturday but it was effectively a shadow side that played in the Scottish Cup tie. Donovan and Callum McGregor are the only survivors.
Jullian Araujo has been the regular right-back since O’Neill returned but is ineligible for tonight’s match.
Donovan played at left-back against Auchinleck but looks set to switch to the other full-back role.
Ben Nygren’s recent scoring form looked to have found favour with the interim manager but he has to settle for a place on the bench with Hatate back in the midfield.
Celtic go into tonight’s match fighting to make the cut in the Europa League, picking up seven points from six matches. Four points should ensure progress to the Last 16 Play Offs, less than three from the two remaining games will likely result in elimination.
A win away to Feyenoord under O’Neill has been the highlight to date, something similar will be needed tonight.
Celtic return to face Hearts in a vital SPFL match on Sunday then complete their Europa campaign a week today at home to Utrecht.
CELTIC: Schmeichel; Donovan, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Engels, Hatate; Yang, Maeda, Tounekti
SUBS: Sinisalo, Doohan, Nygren, Balikwisha, McCowan, Kenny, Bernardo, Murray, Forrest, McArdle, Ralson, Isiguzo
Brilliant result after playing nearly 70 minutes with 10 men. A great performance considering the circumstances, The team were terrific, the defence magnificent but Daizen was outstanding.
Well done Celtic – have a rest then go again on Sunday. ??
Hetate – A week link once again…
Rio – You are the weakest link these days – Goodbye !