
The Football Faithful
·2 October 2025
Celtic vs Sporting Braga – Predicted lineup and team news

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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·2 October 2025
Celtic welcome Braga to Parkhead on Thursday as matchday two of this year’s UEFA Europa League gets underway.
Having settled for a draw against Red Star Belgrade in their opening fixture, the Hoops are keen to notch their first win of the campaign.
The Scottish champions will have to contend with the absence of several important players for this encounter.
Alistair Johnston remains unavailable due to a hamstring problem that has sidelined the Canadian defender for twelve weeks, following his injury against Kairat Almaty, and he is not expected back until November. Meanwhile, Anthony Ralston has worked his way back into the selection mix after previously being out injured and is a strong candidate to occupy the right-back slot, though Brendan Rodgers may opt to allow Colby Donovan to feature in European action. Auston Trusty is also missing, as he continues his recovery from a persistent plantar fasciitis issue, and winger Jota will sit this match out with a serious knee injury.
In the transfer market, Celtic have reinforced their squad with the arrivals of Kelechi Iheanacho, Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha, providing Rodgers with additional firepower up front. Iheanacho, who netted in the club’s European opener, will be seeking to add to his goal tally.
At present, Celtic occupy second place in the Scottish Premiership, trailing Hearts by just two points with fourteen points collected from six games.
Possible Celtic starting XI: Schmeichel; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; Nygren, McGregor, Hatate; Hyun-Jun, Maeda, Tounekti
The game will begin at 5:45pm BST on Thursday, 2nd October.
Supporters in the UK can catch the action live on TNT Sports, while the match is also available for streaming on discovery+ for viewers with a subscription.