Renewed Celtic optimism after Europa League win – Predicted team for Tynecastle

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·24 ottobre 2025

Renewed Celtic optimism after Europa League win – Predicted team for Tynecastle

That’s more like it Bhoys! Last night Celtic put our recent woes behind us to register our first win in our Europa League campaign…

Celtic vs Sturm, 23 October 2025. UEFA Europa League, Celtic Glasgow vs SK Sturm Graz. Image shows team of Celtic a team of Sturm. Photo GEPA pictures Chris Bauer (IMAGO)

The Bhoys deservedly beat SK Sturm Graz 2-1 at Celtic Park to give us a much needed confidence booster as we head into our toughest test of the season this coming Sunday lunchtime at Tynecastle against league leaders Hearts.

OneFootball Video

Despite falling behind to a sensational goal, and losing both Kelechi Iheanacho and the returning Alistair Johnston to injury, we kept at it, and our resistance paid off as we scored twice in three second half minutes courtesy of Liam Scales and Benjamin Nygren to deservedly claim all three points from what was an excellent game of football.

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic walks off injured in 3rd minute of the match to be replaced by Johnny Kenny of Celtic. Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Football, Celtic Park – 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Our players deserve the recent criticism they have been receiving due to some woeful form, so it’s only fair that we give them praise when it’s due, as they showed terrific character to fight their way back into the game despite things going against us in the opening 45 minutes.

Our midfield looked more efficient than it’s been these past few weeks, with Arne Engels in particular having a superb game. It certainly was a bad night for all the Engels haters out there but you may have noticed that some are instead turning their attention to Reo Hatate.

Johnny Kenny of Celtic shoots at goal Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, , Celtic Park – 23 Oct over 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Sebastian Tounekti continues to impress, and Benji Nygren despite missing a load of chances, didn’t give up and got his rewards by scoring what proved to be the winner, just minutes after Liam Scales’ well worked equaliser. The Irishman was named Man of the Match and deservedly so. he’s another who has shut up his critics, for now at least.

We looked more fluent, we created loads of chances, and we more importantly we took them when it mattered. That’s more like it Bhoys, let’s take some real momentum from this as we head to Edinburgh on Sunday to take on the Diets.

Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic on the ground with suspected injury at full-time. Final score Celtic 2 Sturm Graz 1. Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

There will be Celtic team down to its bare bones for that one with Brendan Rodgers likely to go with this starting XI against Hearts with three changes from the team that started against SK Sturm Graz.

Predicted Celtic Team for Typecastle: Schmeichel; Donovan, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; McGregor (c), Engels, Hatate; Nygren, Kenny and Tounekti Subs: Sinisalo, Saracchi, Murray, Ralston, McCowan, Bernardo, Balikwisha, Shin, Forrest, Yang.

Celtic starting eleven team group, before kick off. Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Clearly Alistair Johnston and Kelechi Iheanacho are going to be out for a while, Cameron Carter-Vickers looks likely to miss this game and it’s probably going to be too soon for Daizen Maeda.

Despite the injuries there’s a renewed optimism about Celtic after last night which hopefully kickstarts a winning run to take us through some really crucial upcoming matches starting against a well-rested Hearts on Sunday lunchtime.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, signed copies by Danny McGrain available from celticstarbooks.com

Don’t miss the chance to purchase the late, great Celtic historian David Potter’s final book. All remaining copies have been signed by the legendary Celtic captain Danny McGrain PLUS you’ll also receive a FREE copy of David Potter’s Willie Fernie biography – Putting on the Style, and you’ll only be charged for postage on one book. Order from Celtic Star Books HERE.

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

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