Predicted Celtic XI vs Utrecht as four changes made and Kieran Tierney deemed a risk not worth taking

Celtic face Utrecht this Thursday as they look to keep their Europa League campaign alive.

A win is needed against the Dutch side to make sure their continental endeavours continue beyond the league phase and into the knockout play-off round. They come off the back of draws with Bologna and most recently Hearts on Sunday with a demand from supporters for signings to be made before next week’s deadline.

Asked if Celtic will need more players to cope with demand on the home front and abroad, boss Martin O'Neill responded: "You are absolutely right. If we were lucky enough to get through, you're going to play at least a couple of games, there's no midweek break - that's the problem. You do need a proper squad for that. Not that it was something that was discussed after the game in Bologna, but I thought with the red card in the game at Hearts, we stuck it out. But they were out on their feet."

“We need to strengthen the squad, that's what we're trying to do. Whether we have anyone in for Sunday, I don't know. We are making strenuous efforts to improve the team. I think that we can do something. I know days are pressing, that's very very obvious.

“I'm hopeful. January transfer windows are exceptionally difficult, always have been. It's a difficult market and particularly ones where you want permanent deals, and you think you might have more time in the summer to think about it. I was not thinking about a January window between Christmas and January. It wasn't on my agenda. Lots of names have been put forward, lots of people I've taken an interest in, one or two have been threatened. But we're still working on it."

As Celtic push for more transfers, here’s what we think they’ll go with in the meantime, with four changes from the side that defeated Hearts.

GK - Kasper Schmeichel

Danish number one likely to start between the sticks.

RB - Colby Donovan

New signing Julian Araujo can’t play in Europe this month so the youth academy product steps in. Played and impressed last week in Bologna.

CB - Auston Trusty

Sent off at the weekend that Celtic are far from happy about but that isn’t applicable here, so expect him to start.

CB - Liam Scales

A nailed on starter when fit and available.

LB - Anthony Ralston

A real tough one. Europe is on the line but Kieran Tierney took a sore one according to O’Neill versus Hearts and is he worth risking with the rest of the season in mind? Spotted in training but we think Celtic might play it safe and it means Anthony Ralston will need to be a makeshift option with Marcelo Saracchi still on the way back.

CDM - Callum McGregor

Skipper is first name on the team sheet.

CM - Benjamin Nygren

Swede keeps place after stunning free-kick vs Hearts.

CM - Paulo Bernardo

Arne Engels had a tough afternoon at Tynecastle and we reckon that allows Bernardo to make a claim for starting.

RW - Yang

South Korean has impressed under O’Neill’s guidance.

ST - Daizen Maeda

Striker Tomas Cvancara ineligible after winter arrival so the winger goes through the middle.

LW - Sebastian Tounekti

Tunisian international is the replacement for the aforementioned Cvancara.