Celtic host Ferencvaros in Europa League group stage opener

Celtic will face Ferencvaros at Celtic Park in Glasgow on Thursday, September 17 at 20:00 BST in the opening match of the Europa League group stage. The fixture offers Celtic an opportunity to respond after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Rangers in the Scottish League Cup semi-final on September 13. Manager Martin O'Neill's side are seeking redemption following also being knocked out of Champions League qualification by LASK Linz, losing 5-1 in the second leg despite a 3-0 first-leg advantage.

Celtic arrive with strong domestic form, having won six consecutive Premiership matches to sit atop the Scottish table with an 18-point haul from six games, five points clear of Rangers. However, the European exits have proven costly, with the club managing only one shot on target during the Rangers defeat. The Hoops will be without Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (suspended) and have injury concerns affecting their midfield following Reo Hatate's deadline-day departure to Burnley. Despite these absences, Celtic possess attacking depth through Kyogo Duran and Nügren, who have combined for 11 goals and 9 assists across all competitions this season.

Ferencvaros enter the match with momentum after a demanding qualification campaign, defeating Trabzonspor 5-0 on aggregate in the final qualifying round and also overcoming Twente. Under manager Balazs Borbely, the Hungarian club have won six of their last seven matches across all competitions and lost only one of their 15 games this season. Ferencvaros finished nine places ahead of Celtic in last season's Europa League group phase and have qualified for the competition in three consecutive seasons, reaching the knockout rounds in both previous appearances. The visitors hold one victory in three historical head-to-head meetings against Celtic, most recently losing 3-2 away in the 2021 Europa League group stage.

The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 3 and TNT Sports Ultimate in the United Kingdom. Both clubs will be competing in a new-format Europa League group stage, with this fixture serving as matchday one for both sides.