Celtic host Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday night, knowing that only a win can keep their slender hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive. Martin O'Neill's side have lost all three of their opening group matches and face a Turkish outfit that already look well placed to advance to the last 16.
Pressure mounts after three defeats
A draw with Dundee Utd and a defeat to Falkirk have done little to suggest Celtic can suddenly start producing results in Europe, yet that is exactly what is required if O'Neill's claim that they can still progress is to be believed. Three defeats from three makes that a significant challenge, even with five matches still to play.
Besiktas, by contrast, have taken seven points from their first three games, sit eighth in the table and appear strong candidates to skip the playoff round and reach the last 16 if they maintain their form. A win in their first ever meeting with Celtic would go a long way towards achieving that.
Team news and how to watch
Former Rangers man Ridvan Yilmaz is set for a return to Celtic Park, but Vaclav Cerny will not be playing the pantomime villain after his celebratory celebration last time he was here, with the Czech out through injury.
The match takes place on Thursday November 5, with kick-off at 8pm. It will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 3, with coverage beginning at 7.45pm. TNT Sports customers can also follow the match live on the channel's website, and those without a subscription can sign up through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
Record Sport will be running a live blog with all the pre-match build-up and team news, plus every kick of the ball once the clash gets underway, followed by reaction from managers and players, player ratings, talking points and more.
