Bologna star looks ahead to Celtic challenge despite worrying dip in form

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The Celtic Star

·21 January 2026

Bologna star looks ahead to Celtic challenge despite worrying dip in form

Giovanni Fabbian has challenged the Bologna squad to raise their standards and deliver a more assertive performance ahead of their Europa League meeting with Celtic on Thursday…

The Scottish champions head to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara to take on a Bologna side struggling for form after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina at the weekend.

Despite ongoing speculation linking the influential midfielder with a potential high-profile transfer to Lazio, Fabbian says his focus remains firmly on the upcoming European fixture.

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The 23-year-old stressed that Celtic’s opponents must respond with more intensity and accountability, cautioning that recent below-par displays cannot be repeated and that players must avoid fading out of games.

Speaking via The Herald, Fabbian said: “We had the wrong approach for the game against Fiorentina. We prepared well for it, but failed to replicate what we did in training. We can’t disappear on the pitch like that. We have to work hard and improve on what we were able to do until recently and are now failing. We’re all united to get it right.”

Fabbian added: “In football, there are periods when things go well and other times when they don’t. The important thing is to stick together.

“We did at least get a reaction in the second half and we need to carry that forward to our next game against Celtic. Right now, my focus is 100 per cent here in Bologna . I’m a professional and I’ll try to give my all for this shirt.”

Bologna find themselves placed 13th in the expanded standings after collecting 11 points from their first six league phase fixtures.

While progression to the knockout rounds has already been secured, victory on Thursday for the Italians would significantly strengthen their chances of finishing inside the top eight, granting automatic passage into the last 16.

After hosting Celtic, the Serie A outfit will conclude their Europa League campaign against Maccabi Tel Aviv at a neutral venue, adding further motivation to use European competition as a springboard to revive their domestic fortunes.

Reo Hatate celebrates scoring with Callum McGregor during the Europa League match between Feyenoord and Celtic at De Kuip on November 27, 2025. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Celtic still have work to do to remain in contention, needing maximum points from either their clash in Italy or their upcoming meeting with Utrecht at Celtic Park to secure a place inside the top 24.

Attention will also soon turn to domestic matters, with Martin O’Neill mindful of a pivotal trip to Tynecastle on Sunday to face table-toppers Hearts – a result that will have major implications for the Hoops’ title ambitions.

Conor Spence

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