Two shock starters, attacking reshuffle, Ralston dropped: Celtic confirmed starting XI vs Feyenoord
Martin O’Neill has named his Celtic starting line-up to face Feyenoord in their latest Europa League clash at De Kuip in Rotterdam
Interim boss Martin O’Neill has named his Celtic starting XI to face Feyenoord for their latest Europa League tie at De Kuip in the Dutch city of Rotterdam.
The hoops have endured a tough campaign on the continent so far this season, taking just four points from their first four matches to leave them with work to do to secure a place in the knockout stages.
The Scottish champions face another difficult assignment as the travel to the Netherlands to take on the Eredivisie powerhouses, who are managed by Dutch icon and former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie. They have also struggled in this competition to date, making it a huge clash for both teams.
Team news: 3 changes + attacking reshuffle
O’Neill makes THREE changes to his starting line-up from the side that ran out narrow 1-0 over St Mirren on league duty last weekend.
Youngster Colby Donovan comes in for Anthony Ralston at right-back, while Yang Hyun-jun and Luke McCowan are handed rare starts in place of Johnny Kenny and Sebastian Tounekti drop to the bench.
18-year-old B-team prospects Finlay Hale and Samuel Isiguzo have travelled with the senior squad and are named among the substitutes.
What Auston Trusty has said pre-match
“You don’t play the game not to win. The mindset from all the players to the staff and everyone involved is to win the game and to perform well.
“The only thing in my mind is to win and get positive results. You can’t think about the future. We have a game tomorrow and that’s what we’re focused on and that’s the next objective.
“I’ve heard it’s a good atmosphere. It’s my first time in the country here too, so I’m excited for it.”
Here's your confirmed starting XI’s ahead of this evening’s European clash in Rotterdam...
Feyenoord:
Timon Wellenreuther; Jordan Lotomba, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Gijs Smal, Oussama Targhalline, Sam Steijn (C), Luciano Valente, Anis Hadj Moussa, Leo Sauer, Ayase Ueda.
SUBS: Justin Bijlow (GK), Liam Bossin (GK), Bart Nieuwkoop, Jan Plug, Quinten Timber, Aymen Sliti, Ayoub Ouarghi, Shaqueel van Persie, Gaoussou Diarra, Goncalo Borges, Casper Tengstedt.
Celtic:
Kasper Schmeichel; Colby Donovan, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales, Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor (C), Arne Engels, Reo Hatate, Yang Hyun-jun, Luke McCowan, Daizen Maeda.
SUBS: Viljami Sinisalo (GK), Ross Doohan (GK), Benjamin Nygren, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Kelechi Iheanacho, Sebastian Tounekti, Johnny Kenny, Paulo Bernardo, Dane Murray, Anthony Ralston, Finlay Hale, Samuel Isiguzo.