It all comes down to this. Can Celtic continue their European adventure a little while longer, or will they ignominiously crash out on the league phase? On Thursday night, the Scottish champions will welcome Utrecht to Glasgow.
Currently 24th in the gigantic league table, only a victory will guarantee the Celts' spot in the knockout phase, while anything less would see them in serious danger of exiting the tournament.
The Hoops took their Europa League points tally up to eight last mid-week, leaving Stadio Renato Dall'Ara with a potentially priceless point. Goals from Reo Hatate and then Auston Trusty had them 2-0 up by halftime against Bologna, but Hatate's needless red card left them with an uphill task. Sure enough, the Rossoblù did hit back twice, equalising 18 minutes from the end, but they could not find a winner.
The Bhoys had previously drawn with Crvena zvezda in Belgrade, beating Sturm Graz and Feyenoord, while suffering defeats at the hands of Braga, Midtjylland and most recently Roma.
Well, visitors Utrecht have already been eliminated, having collected just a solitary point in the league phase to date. They are also down in 11th in the Eredivisie, suffering five straight defeats across all competitions, so a home win should be a formality, but nothing is ever straightforward when it comes to Celtic in Europe. Ahead of this must-win match, Martin O'Neill faces some key selection decisions.
Who should Martin O'Neill start vs Utrecht?
Hatate's aforementioned red card against Bologna means he will be suspended on Thursday. However, despite this upcoming unavailability, the Japanese international was an unused substitute at Tynecastle against Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday.
Callum McGregor, Arne Engels and scorer Benjamin Nygren were O'Neill's starting trio in Edinburgh, with Hatate, Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan all watching on. It appears as though he will stick with the same three against Utrecht, so where does this leave Hatate?
Reo Hatate 2025/26 Celtic stats
Statistics | Reo Hatate | Celtic rank |
|---|---|---|
Minutes | 2,032 | 8th |
Goals | 5 | 5th |
Assists | 3 | 6th |
Shots | 27 | 8th |
Shots on target | 10 | 5th |
Big chances created | 8 | 3rd |
Key passes per 90 | 1.5 | 3rd |
Ever since he arrived at Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale four years ago, Hatate has been a key figure for whichever manager has been in charge. Even this season, the 28-year-old has scored five goals and registered three assists, while only Daizen Maeda and Kieran Tierney have created more big chances.
Now though, after being sent off for lashing out at Juan Miranda in Italy last mid-week, O'Neill may have lost trust in the midfield maestro. McGregor, Engels and Nygren are set to get another chance to start as a trio on Thursday, meaning Hatate may have lost his place in the lineup for upcoming crucial matches thereafter. It may take a while for him to work his way back in.