Celtic host Besiktas at Parkhead in the Europa League, with Martin O'Neill's side needing a positive result to keep their hopes of reaching the playoff round realistic. The Hoops have lost all three of their European matches so far, and a fourth consecutive defeat would leave their chances hanging by a thread.
Celtic's Recent Struggles
Celtic's domestic form has also been inconsistent, with a draw against Dundee Utd and a defeat to Falkirk in their last two outings. The team has suffered six defeats in their last 10 games, and confidence is described as at rock bottom.
Despite this, Martin O'Neill insists that making it out of the league phase is still possible, but a home win against the Turkish giants is essential for that to remain realistic.
Besiktas Bring Familiar Faces
This is the first ever meeting between the two sides, but Besiktas' squad includes several familiar faces. Hyeongyu Oh, who left Celtic in 2024 after failing to establish himself, has been a regular scorer for Genk and now Istanbul. Ridvan Yilmaz faced Celtic often while at Rangers, and Vaclav Cerny may receive a hostile reception if he features, having celebrated a last-minute winner for Rangers by spraying the home fans with a water bottle.
Besiktas have claimed seven Europa League points from nine, sitting eighth in the table, and are looking to bypass the playoff round and progress straight to the round of 16. They spent almost £60million this summer, bringing in players like Orkun Kokcu and Leandro Trossard.
Predictions and Expectations
Several predictions for the match suggest a tough night for Celtic. Scott Burns predicts a 1-1 draw, while Keith Jackson and Andy Newport both forecast a 1-3 defeat. Anthony Evans predicts a 0-2 loss, and Michael Gannon expects a 1-2 defeat. Robbie Copeland, however, sees potential for a positive result if Celtic are brave and attack, predicting a 2-2 draw.
Ian Wilson, Besiktas' only outfield Scottish player in their history, believes there will be goals in Glasgow. He said: "If Besiktas attack Celtic from the wings and play their normal game, they will create chances. But they need to be mentally strong. They can cause problems for Celtic, find opportunities, and score against them."
Celtic's AGM and Financial Situation
Celtic fans will get the chance to question the board at the annual shareholders meeting next month. The last AGM was cut short after less than half an hour due to unrest, and the next meeting comes amid simmering discontent after Celtic missed out on the Champions League again following a defeat to Austrian side LASK. They are also out of the Premier Sports Cup after losing to Rangers, who also defeated them in the league.
The recently published annual accounts show the club made a loss of just short of £5million, and a 22.7 per cent drop in revenue.
