NafisaCeltic have been plunged into a defensive nightmare ahead of their crucial Europa League showdown with Celta Vigo, with Martin O’Neill’s side facing a potentially disastrous situation at the worst possible moment in their European campaign.
The Hoops are already under enormous pressure after suffering defeats against Ferencvaros and Benfica in their opening two league-phase fixtures.
Another setback on Thursday would leave them with three consecutive European defeats and absolutely no points on the board, making their hopes of reaching the knockout stages considerably more difficult.
Sunday’s extraordinary 7-1 demolition of Hearts offered Celtic supporters a welcome reason to celebrate after a difficult spell, but the excitement surrounding that result has now been overshadowed by a worrying development that threatens to derail their European ambitions.
With Celta Vigo preparing to visit Celtic Park, the Scottish champions have discovered that they will be without several important defensive options. And the scale of the problem is genuinely alarming.
Celtic left with just TWO fit senior centre-backs
Shaun Maloney, who handled Celtic’s media duties with O’Neill absent due to a personal matter, has confirmed that Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers will both miss Thursday’s encounter.
Speaking to Sky Sports Scotland, Maloney said: “Alistair has been back training a little bit longer. Cameron just started this week, but both won’t make tomorrow.
“But they should, if it goes well in the next couple of days, be available for the squad on Sunday.”
While there is hope that the pair could return for Sunday’s trip to Hibernian, their absence against Celta Vigo represents a significant blow to Celtic’s preparations.
The situation becomes even more troubling when Auston Trusty’s unavailability is taken into account.
Maloney confirmed that the American defender would also miss the match because of a private matter, telling Sky Sports Scotland: “Auston Trusty has got a private matter, so he won’t make tomorrow.”
That leaves Celtic with just two fit senior centre-backs, Liam Scales and Dane Murray, according to the latest team news.
For a club preparing for a fixture that could have major consequences for its European season, the shortage is a nightmare. Celtic have lost three defensive options at once, leaving little room for manoeuvre if another problem emerges during the match.
Should Scales or Murray suffer an injury, Celtic could be forced to improvise in the heart of their defence, potentially leaving O’Neill with an even more difficult situation to manage.
Another European defeat could spell disaster
The timing of this defensive crisis makes it particularly painful for Celtic.
Their opening two Europa League matches have already ended in defeat, against Ferencvaros and Benfica, leaving them with zero points from a possible six.
Thursday’s match is therefore about much more than restoring confidence after a disappointing European start. Celtic need to begin collecting points if they are to give themselves a realistic chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
A third consecutive defeat would leave them in an increasingly precarious position, with the pressure mounting to deliver results in their remaining fixtures.
Although qualification would not necessarily be mathematically impossible, Celtic would have very little margin for further mistakes. They could find themselves needing a substantial run of positive results later in the league phase just to get back into contention.
That is what makes the latest injury news so damaging. Rather than approaching Celta Vigo with a fully prepared defensive unit, Celtic must now find a way to survive one of their most important European nights with their options severely restricted.
The 7-1 victory over Hearts may have lifted spirits domestically, but it cannot erase the consequences of their European defeats. Celtic must now prove they can carry that attacking confidence into a match where another defensive setback could prove extremely costly.
Colby Donovan and Dane Murray face enormous responsibility
Celtic have already relied on younger players to fill gaps in their defence, with Colby Donovan impressing at right-back during Johnston’s absence.
Dane Murray has also received increased responsibility at centre-back, while Liam Scales started against Hearts and assisted Kieran Tierney’s opening goal.
Both defenders could now be central to Celtic’s hopes of avoiding another damaging result.
However, the issue extends beyond the starting eleven. Even if Scales and Murray perform well, the lack of recognised senior centre-back cover leaves Celtic vulnerable to any unexpected change during the match.
O’Neill may have to consider alternative defensive arrangements should the game take an unwanted turn, with Donovan among the players who have already stepped up in recent weeks.
That is a worrying position for Celtic to be in when they are desperate for a European breakthrough.
Martin O’Neill faces a huge night at Celtic Park
There is some positive news on the horizon, with Maloney indicating that Johnston and Carter-Vickers could be available for the Hibernian match if their recovery continues well over the next few days.
But that potential boost comes too late to help Celtic against Celta Vigo.
For now, the focus is firmly on Thursday night, when O’Neill’s side must attempt to rescue their Europa League campaign despite a defensive situation that has suddenly become a major concern.
Celtic supporters will hope the performance against Hearts provides the momentum needed to overcome the Spanish visitors. Yet the stakes could hardly be higher, with another defeat threatening to leave their knockout-stage ambitions hanging by a thread.
Three European games, potentially three defeats and still no points: Celtic cannot afford for this defensive catastrophe to become the story of their Europa League campaign.
Nafisa
