15th August 2026; Tannadice Park, Dundee, Scotland; Scottish Cup Football, Dundee United versus Celtic;
Martin O’Neill has made two changes to the Celtic side that beat Motherwell for tonight’s Europa League clash with Benfica.
Liam Scales and Ben Nygren drop out with Auston Trusty and Oliver Sorenson taking their places.
It looks like a familiar 4-3-3 line up for the hoops as they look to pull off a shock against one of the competition favourites.
Trusty will line up alongside Dane Murray in central defence in a fairly unfamiliar partnership.
With Cameron Carter-Vickers out injured O’Neill is short on options. Dropped to the bench Scales can provide back-up for Kieran Tierney at left-back.
Colby Donovan has quickly become the most regular player in the back four.
In midfield the goals of Nygren make way for the industry of Sorenson. The on loan Dane started against Ferencvaros but has missed out in the last two matches.
On the bench teenagers Liam Kennedy and Lucas Clearie are included.
CELTIC IN THE EUROPA LEAGUE
After losing at home to Ferencvaros Celtic badly need to take something from tonight’s match in Lisbon.
While the hoops were losing at home to the Hungarian side Benfica were laying down a marker with a victory away to AC Milan.
With that form in mid Benfica are strong favourites to win tonight’s match.
History hasn’t been kind to Celtic with four successive defeats at the Stadio de Luz going back to season 68/69.
O’Neill will be looking to change that drawing on wins away to Feyenoord and Stuttgart last season.
Benfica on Matchday 2 are a very different proposition with Celtic losing 5-1 away to LASK Linz in their last UEFA away day.
Next up for Celtic is a home match against Hearts on Sunday followed by a Europa League visit.
CELTIC: Sinisalo; Donovan, Murray, Scales, Trusty; McGregor, Baur, Sorenson; Duran, Hogh, Tounekti
SUBS: Johnston, Lotomba, Scales, Nygren, McCowan, Osmand, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Hassan, Forrest, Ralston, Kennedy, Clearie
C’mon ra Hoops !
Thank F**K we didn’t make the big guys playground,this is the the nickel&dime part of the tournament,but really we should be in the amateurs section,the conference league,and I think we would still embarrass ourselves in there.
As I posted previously the league gone,sevco will be top again at the weekend,while we chase shadows.
Oh and watch out for a new sponsor on the arse of the shorts this weekend.
Sudocrem.