How Celtic’s Europa League opponents started their campaigns

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The Celtic Star

·30 September 2025

How Celtic’s Europa League opponents started their campaigns

Celtic began their Europa League journey this season with a 1-1 stalemate against Red Star Belgrade in the Serbian capital last Wednesday night but how did the Hoops’ seven other opponents get on last week?

Kelechi Iheanacho scores for Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025. Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

Kelechi Iheanacho put Celtic ahead in the second half, but Marko Arnautovic quickly equalised for the home side, leaving both teams to share the spoils.

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Celtic still have seven group stage matches remaining, each against a different team. Here’s a look at how all their upcoming opponents performed on the opening matchday.

Braga – set to visit Celtic Park on Thursday night and whose manager Carlos Vicens is under huge pressure – kicked off their Europa League campaign with a surprising 1-0 victory over Feyenoord.

Braga players celebrated the winning goal iduring the UEFA Europe League League phase,Matchday 1, between Sporting Club de Braga and Feyenoord at Stadium Municipal of Braga on 24 September 2025 in Braga Portugal Photo by Luis de la Mata IMAGO/sportPix

Sturm Graz, who arrive in Glasgow in three weeks time and play theRangers on Thursday evening in Austria, began their campaign with a 2-0 loss at Midtjylland, while Celtic will travel to Denmark to face Hibernian’s Europa League qualifiers nemesis on matchday four.

Following that, Celtic will travel to Rotterdam to face Feyenoord at De Kuip, who, as noted, were defeated by Braga in Portugal last Wednesday.

In December, Brendan Rodgers’ side will welcome Roma to Celtic Park, after the Italian club kicked off their Europa League group with a 2-1 away victory over Nice.

Looking ahead to the new year, Celtic will face another Italian side, Bologna, who were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa in Birmingham on Thursday evening.

Celtic will close out their group stage on matchday eight with a home clash against Dutch side Utrecht, who were handed a 1-0 defeat by Lyon last week.

A reminder that Celtic’s kick-off time this Thursday is at the unusual time of 5:45pm. If the Hoops are to have any real progression in the competition, the home matches will be important.

Brendan Rodgers of Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 September 2025 Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

That was shown in last season’s Champions League where Rodgers’ men won three and were held to a 1-1 draw with Club Brugge in their four group stage games. That kind of form must be replicated this campaign or four home wins would be even better!

Let’s make some Noise for the Bhoys on Thursday night!

Conor Spence

Callum McGregor backs Celtic summer signing to make big impact – Continues on the next page…

Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Celtic.Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his goal Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has backed summer signing Kelechi Iheanacho to make a big impact. The Nigerian international signed as a free agent having left Sevilla on deadline day.

Iheanacho scored from the spot on his debut to deliver three points against Kilmarnock. This strike was followed up with an assist against Partick and a goal against Red Star.

Speaking after the stalemate against Hibernian, McGregor praised Iheanacho and predicted that more is to come from the ex-Leicester City striker.

“Since he’s come in, he’s obviously scored a couple of goals already. But you could see it in training. I think the first time I saw him, you can just tell by the way people hit the ball. You think ‘Right, he can play. He’s got a big pedigree, he’s played at big clubs, and obviously played with the manager at Leicester as well.

Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates scoring the winner for Celtic at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“And you can see he’s a good player, the Celtic captain said as reported by Newsquest owned TCW. “So, the reason we’ve got him is because he’s probably lacking a bit of game time and getting up to speed. The good thing about him is he’s come in, his attitude’s been amazing. He’s working hard. “He’s part of the group already, feels like he’s been here for a while.

“And he wants to do well. So, it’s brilliant energy for the group to just feed off as well. Everything happens for a reason, you know? It’s one of these things. It’s an amazing football club. And there’s always special narratives within that as well.

Kelechi Iheanacho at Firhill. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“In football, everything happens for a reason. There are sliding-door moments, and we have to make the most of that, of course. We have a really top player in the building.

“Kelechi looks hungry, so we just need to keep on him and hopefully get the best out of him. Good business comes in many forms. You don’t always need to pay big money for good players. t’s about getting them at the right time and getting them hungry and all these different things.

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic misses a good scoring opportunity. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock/IMAGO

“There are so many factors in when you get players. You need them at the right time and all these things. So, it certainly looks like a good piece of business.”

No-one would have complained about Iheanacho being signed had the deal been done in July with work being done to add further attackers, especially if there had been significant interest in Daizen Maeda. Rodgers has confirmed that the work is already underway for January with a view to new arrivals coming in.

Celtic need to find their clinical edge in attack, having struggled to replicate last season’s free flowing, attacking play. The manager spoke about bringing quality in during the summer, which very publicly was not done quickly and effectively.

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic misses the ball in front of the Hibernian goal. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, , Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

A factor that Celtic have been struggling with has been the wide areas and creating chances for the central attackers. The change from last season has been alarming but Brendan and the squad will hope that the run of games will get fans on the edge of their seat watching Celtic again.

Lubo 98

Danny McGrain, David Potter & Willie Fernie – what a combination!

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now, order your copy at Celticstarbooks.com

We’re certainly Putting on the Style with the new promotion from Celtic Star Books. David Potter’s final book – Celtic in the Eighties – has been selling wonderfully well since its launch earlier this month. It is by far our fastest-ever seller. Order one of the last remaining copies of Celtic in the Eighties and Danny McGrain will sign it for you PLUS you’ll receive a copy of David Potter’s wonderful book on Willie Fernie as a free gift.

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain has now agreed to sign the final batch of Celtic in the Eighties. Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny and a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last, from Wednesday of this week (Danny is signing the books on Tuesday evening).

Celtic 3-0 St Mirren, Scottish Premier League, Celtic Park, 15 May 1982.Celtic captain Danny McGrain collects the championship trophy as Roy Aitken looks on. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Please note that postage will only be charged on ONE book.

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.