15th August 2026; Tannadice Park, Dundee, Scotland; Scottish Cup Football, Dundee United versus Celtic;
Martin O’Neill has made five changes to the Celtic side that lost to Falkirk for tonight’s match against Besiktas.
The veteran manager has completely changed his front three with Sebastian Tounekti starting his first match since last month’s 4-1 defeat away to Benfica.
Tounekti has been left out of the Celtic squad for some recent SPFL matches but comes in to the Starting XI for a Europa League tie. James Forrest and Kasper Hogh join Tounekti in attack.
In defence Jordan Lotomba makes his first start, replacing Colby Donovan at right-back. Like Tounekti the Swiss internationalist has also been left out of recent SPFL squads.
After being benched against Falkirk Ben Nygren returns to the Celtic midfield with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain dropping back to the bench.
With no points from their first three matches Celtic have a mountain to climb to progress in the Europa League.
Last season they had four points from their first three matches, finishing with a total of 11 which included an away win over Feyenoord.
BESIKTAS- DANGEROUS OPPONENTS FOR CELTIC
In contrast to Celtic tonight’s opponents have an impressive seven points from their first three matches.
After wins against Marseille and Hoffenheim the Turks were held to a 2-2 on Matchday 3 at home by Crystal Palace.
A win tonight would effectively secure a place in the knock-out stage for Besiktas but their target will be a top eight place to ensure a place in the Round of 16.
Without Jota, Joel van den Berg, Shim Mheika and Landon Emenalo Celtic have had to dig deep into their B team squad for tonight’s match.
All of tonight’s match officials are from Germany.
Next up for Celtic is a home match against Kilmarnock on Sunday followed by the November international break.
CELTIC: Johnstone; Lotomba, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Baur, Nygren; Hassan, Forrest, Hogh, Tounekti
SUBS: Sinisalo, Doohan, Duran, McCowan, Sorenson, Osmand, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Hassan, McArdle, Murray, Donovan, Ralston
WTF
You’d be better playing the subs.
This definitely proves that O’Neill has lost the plot or he’s just taking the piss