Celtic are looking to kick-start their Europa League campaign when they host Besiktas at Parkhead, with big-money signing Kasper Hogh potentially coming to the fore in a green-and-white shirt. The Dane has drawn a blank in his 14 games for the Hoops since opening his account with a hat-trick away to Kilmarnock on his second appearance back in August.
Hogh's Return Could Boost Celtic's Attack
The £11million man has found himself in and out of the team in recent weeks but could be unleashed from the start by Martin O'Neill against a Besiktas side packed with top stars, including Dusan Vlahovic, Leandro Trossard, ex-Celts striker Oh Hyeon-gyu, and former Rangers duo Vaclav Cerny and Ridvan Yilmaz.
Having lost all three of their Europa League fixtures so far, Celtic sit second from bottom of the league standings, with the possibility of claiming a play-off spot looking increasingly bleak going into the remaining five games of the revamped group stage.
Duran Could Shift to the Right Flank
Bringing former Bodo/Glimt frontman Hogh back into the fold could also see O'Neill strengthen his side's defensive capabilities off the ball by moving Camilo Duran back into a wide area. The Colombian has registered 11 goals and five assists since his summer switch from Qarabag and has looked equally as effective off the right flank as he has through the middle.
Egypt's World Cup breakout star Haissem Hassan has yet to deliver on the £6million (rising to £9million) Celtic forked out to sign him from Real Oviedo in August, and the speedster has also taken flak for his work rate in tracking back. O'Neill therefore may look to deploy the more energetic Duran in the right wing area, allowing him to support youngster Colby Donovan at full back.
Defensive Shake-Up and Predicted Line-Up
With the Celts boss also confirming he has granted Auston Trusty indefinite compassionate leave following the sad passing of the player's father, Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers will remain at centre back, with Sam Johnstone expected to keep his place between the posts. Here is how Record Sport expect Celtic to line up against Besiktas.
