GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 11: Celtic huddle ahead of kick off during the William Hill Premiership between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
The German midfielder completed his move to Celtic last Wednesday and joins Callum McGregor and Ben Nygren in the centre of the park.
The sale of Arne Engels caused O’Neill an issue, compounded by the three match suspension that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain starts tonight.
In attack Yang Hyun-jun comes in for Sebastian Tounekti with Kieran Tierney taking over from Liam Scales at left-back.
Michel Ange Balikwisha is listed as a substitute, his first involvement since the January Scottish Cup tie against Auchinleck Talbot.
CELTIC AND THEIR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION TROUBLES
Celtic go into these matches burdened by their recent record in Champions League qualifying.
Seven times in their last nine attempts the hoops have failed to get through the qualifying phase.
A year ago defeat to Kairat Almaty on the back of two goal-less draws kicked off all sorts of problems.
Two months after that Champions League knock-out Brendan Rodgers resigned.
Celtic had three different managers for their eight Europa League group matches.
O’Neill took Celtic into the Round of 16 Play Off but that tie was effectively over following a 4-1 first leg defeat at home.
Celtic have made four signings since the transfer window opened but the sale of Engels is going to loom large over the Play Off ties.
The transfer was confirmed on Saturday night but despite having until 11pm on Tuesday Celtic failed to add to their squad.
With Engels sold, Adam Montgomery on loan at Livingston and Oxlade-Chamberlain suspended Celtic are down to 22 players for the matches.
Additional players such as Colby Donovan can be added to the A list registered with UEFA.
Tonight’s match officials are from Switzerland, the return leg in Austria is on Tuesday.
CELTIC: Sinisalo; Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Tierney; McGregor, Baur, Nygren; Duran, Hogh, Yang
SUBS: Doohan, Scales, Balikwisha, McCowan, Tounekti, Osmand, Hassan, Kenny, Hatate, Murray, Forrest Ralston
How good has Colby D been in the 1st half…so impressive!!
One more goal please Celtic
BRILLIANT RESULT !
Make no mistake – They are a fu**in decent outfit…
Our goals were EXECPTIONAL…
See what happens when you shoot !