Postpublished at 20:03 BST
Celtic 0-0 Ferencvaros
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Sportsound
It's the start Pat and I spoke about - speed, getting it forward.
Summary
Listen to Sportsound commentary from Celtic Park
Celtic play first Europa League fixture of the season
Ferencvaros lost twice to Celtic in 2021 but won the previous year's meeting
Have your say
Postpublished at 20:03 BST
Postpublished at 2 mins
Celtic 0-0 Ferencvaros
James Forrest wins another corner, which Ferencvaros then struggle to clear.
It comes to nothing but the Hungarian side don't look comfortable in their own box.
Postpublished at 1 min
Celtic 0-0 Ferencvaros
Well Martin O'Neill called for a front-foot start, and his side have delivered.
James Forrest slides in Kieran Tierney down the left, the Ferencvaros goalkeeper half punches the cross and the visitors scramble it behind for a corner.
KICK-OFFpublished at 20:00 BST
Celtic 0-0 Ferencvaros
Celtic Park roars as the players finish their huddle.
Can Celtic respond from Sunday's bruising defeat?
ICYMI: The teamspublished at 19:57 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
Substitutes: Johnstone, Doohan, Lotomba, Trusty, Nygren, Hogh, McCowan, Tounekti, Murray, Ralston.
Substitutes: Dibusz, Zohore, Birmancevic, Keita, Levi, Osvath, Kovacevic, Bero, O'Dowda, Lakatos, Madarasz, Lisztes.
Negative vibe can dissipate or intensifypublished at 19:55 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic ParkCeltic badly need a strong performance and winning result to get this Europa League challenge off to a flier, atone for Ibrox and set a positive tone before meeting Rangers again this weekend.
Deliver that, and the narrative may change considerably. Anything else and the negatives will likely pile on and hand Rangers another boost.
A testing week this - the sort that Celtic usually come through. It'd be a surprise if there's no reaction here tonight against a more than decent side.
O'Neill wants to make home advantage countpublished at 19:51 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has given a bit of a spiky pre-match interview on TNT Sports when asked about his team changes.
"It's a home game and we want to try to get on the front foot from the start and win the game," he said.
"Sinisalo was always going to play this game. My job is not to explain every single decision."
O'Neill says it's vital to make their home games count in this competition, and get off to a good start.
Is this a defining week for Celtic?published at 19:48 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
Nick McPheat
BBC Sport ScotlandFootball in Glasgow's goldfish bowl has a habit of being unnecessarily dramatised, yet there is a case for saying a week in mid-September could have a defining impact on Celtic's season.
After spectacularly failing the first of three tests during this mini crucial spell, alarm bells are ringing among sections of an unconvinced support.
Martin O'Neill's side have the chance to right the wrongs of their sobering 3-0 Premier Sports Cup quarter-final defeat by Rangers at Ibrox when they host their city rivals in a rematch in the league on Sunday, but a Europa League opener with Ferencvaros comes first.
Image source, SNSPostpublished at 19:45 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
Neil Lennon
Former Celtic manager on TNT SportsEvery time there's a bad defeat, Callum McGregor is out in front of the cameras fronting up.
Some of the other players need to step up now.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 19:43 BST
What year does Paul, @19:28, think it is?
Stu
A fair point, Stu. But you know what he means!
What to expect from Ferencvarospublished at 19:39 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
Ferencvaros have lost just once in 14 games this season, and come into this tie after a 7-0 Hungarian Cup win away to third-tier side Debreceni.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ferencvaros dumped out Mohamed Salah's Trabzonspor in the play-off round
They thumped Mohamed Salah's Trabzonspor 5-0 on aggregate in the play-off round to reach the league phase again.
Last season under Robbie Keane, the club reached the last 16 of this competition before losing to Braga.
Sinisalo will 'want to just take chance'published at 19:33 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC SportsoundI'm not surprised with the team that he's gone with. The bench doesn't look very strong. Some players missing.
I don't think Sinisalo did a lot wrong but I do accept and acknowledge that Celtic had to sign another goalkeeper. Sinisalo looks more comfortable with the ball at his feet. He's got his chance again and he'll want to just take it.
Now you've got two goalkeepers that when they play, if they make a mistake, how's it going to affect them? How do they recover from it? Are they worried they're going to lose their place?
Image source, SNSImage caption, Viljami Sinisalo finds himself back between the sticks again tonight
Team talk dominating pre-matchpublished at 19:30 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic ParkMartin O'Neill has acted following the comprehensive loss to Rangers.
Some players posted missing on Sunday take a seat on the bench with opportunity for others to stake a big claim in a big week for the club.
Defensively, it'll be interesting to see if there's more solidity, particularly in midfield where Celtic looked exposed.
Up top, Duran has the chance to stake a claim to be the number one central striker having impressed there so far.
A lot at stake in this Europa League opener.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 19:28 BST
It’s ridiculous we are relying on Forrest in 2027, recruitment once again a shambles, no ambition from the club board.
Paul
Team selection seems more or less what I had expected, however given the passive performance at Ibrox and Celtic's ability to implode in Europe I am very anxious. That said I have a slight hope this team can get the job done.
Nail-biting Celtic fan
Baur gets Germany callpublished at 19:26 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
Celtic midfielder Mika Baur has been given a first senior Germany call-up as new head coach Jurgen Klopp unveiled an unprecedented 44-man squad for upcoming Nations League matches and described the Celtic midfielder as an "exciting" prospect.
Klopp has split the group into two separate squads for their four upcoming fixtures.
The second group, which includes Baur, will be available for Germany's matches against Serbia in Munich on 1 October and Greece in Thessaloniki on 4 October.
"I consider him really exciting," Klopp said. "He's absolutely up for it.
"We also spoke on the phone about the weather in Glasgow - something I know well from Liverpool.
"With this move, he's taken on a very challenging step."
Image source, SNSget involved Get Involvedpublished at 19:22 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
Are you happy with that team Celtic fans? How are you feeling before this game tonight?
Share your views via the yellow button at the top of the page.
Celtic seek derby responsepublished at 19:20 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
"Every game that Celtic lose, there's a crisis," Martin O'Neill conceded in his press conference yesterday.
"Of course, it's even bigger if you lose to Rangers."
Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Ibrox was as comprehensive a loss as Celtic have suffered at the hands of their rivals for quite some time.
On the back of the collapse in Linz against LASK and with Rangers to play again on Sunday, O'Neill and his squad need a response.
Image source, SNSPick of the statspublished at 19:17 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
Image source, SNS- Celtic have met Ferencvaros three times in European competition, losing 2-1 at Parkhead in a one-legged Champions League second-round qualifier in 2020 before beating the Hungarians 2-0 at home and 3-2 away in the group stages of the 2021-22 Europa League
- Celtic haven't drawn any of their past 22 home matches in the Europa League since a 2-2 draw with Fenerbahce in October 2015 (W11 L11), losing three of their last five on home soil.
- Ferencvaros have only lost one of their past nine group games in the Europa League (W5 D3), losing 4-0 at Nottingham Forest in their final group match of 2025-26.
Listen nowpublished at 19:12 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
The Sportsound team is on air just now as we build up to kick-off.
They will have full live commentary for you to enjoy at your leisure.
Keita & O'Dowda on Ferencvaros benchpublished at 19:10 BST
Celtic v Ferencvaros (20:00)
The three Ferencvaros players most likely to be known to Celtic supporters are their former player Daniel Arzani, former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita and versatile left-sided Republic of Ireland international, Callum O'Dowda, previously of Cardiff City.
Arzani starts while Keita and O'Dowda are on the bench.
Hungary goalkeeper Denes Dibusz is the club captain but he is on the bench this evening, with midfielder Kristoffer Zachariassen wearing the armband.
Image source, SNSImage caption, Australia international Daniel Arzani played twice for Celtic between 2018 and 2020
Martin O'Neill talked about using forward Camilo Duran in a central role
ByMartin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill admits the 3-0 Premier Sport Cup defeat to Rangers was an "eye-opener" for some recent signings, adding that "defeat should hurt", as they prepare to face Ferencvaros in their opening Europa League fixture on Thursday.
Celtic return to the European stage after failing to overcome LASK in Champions League qualification before hosting Rangers again on Sunday in the Scottish Premiership.
"The whole idea of trying to win the league is to get into European football," O'Neill explained. "We were hoping that we might have been Champions League, that was a disappointment. But the Europa League is still very strong. We'd like to get off to a decent start if we could.
"There's clearly a lot of disappointment at the weekend [against Rangers]. Every game that Celtic lose, there's a crisis. Of course, it's even bigger if you lose to Rangers."
Five of O'Neill's starting XI were playing in an Old Firm match for the first time and O'Neill said: "I think it was an eye-opener to some of the newer lads.
"So you've got to find out about players, about whether they're capable of dealing with these games. Hopefully, over the course of time, they will be. They should hurt. I think [for] some of the newer players, it was a revelation in many aspects.
"We disappointed ourselves, we disappointed the fans in the game and we just have to rise to the occasion. But we've done it before. We'll get ourselves right."
On paper, Celtic's match-up against Ferencvaros looks like one they would look to capitalise on given the strength of some other sides they will face.
O'Neill, though, was keen to stress that they will not take the opposition from Budapest lightly. "I think any side playing in European football will provide us with problems and we just have to try and overcome them," he explained.
"We've found a way to win in the last season. We found somewhere along the way when the odds were piled against us.
"Now it's up to us to try and push on from there. The season will be tough. Tomorrow night will be tough. Sunday will be very tough as well. It's up to us to find ways to try and win football matches regardless of who plays.
"They have about three lads on the side who are exceptional footballers, exceptional players, and they will cause us lots of problems. But we hope to be at home, try and get the crowd on our side as much as possible and try and win it."
Team news
O'Neill conceded he may makes changes to his side given the demands of facing Rangers either side of Ferencvaros and the intensity of their schedule overall.
Duran is fit and available after a visa-related visit to London following a call-up to the Columbia national side, with questions over whether he may be best suited to playing as a central striker given his return early this season in that role.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is suspended while fellow midfielder Joel van den Berg and on-loan Chelsea forward Shim Mheuka are not in Celtic's Europa League squad.
Winger Yang Hyun-jun is on international duty with South Korea at the Asian Games.
Related topics
UEFA Europa League Scores & Fixtures
Thursday 17th September
UEFA Europa League Table
On Thursday 17th September
Skip to table keyMatch Participants:
- Celtic, Position 12, Points 1
- Ferencváros, Position 15, Points 1
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Sparta Prague | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
|
2 Benfica | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
4 OFI Crete | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
6 Olympiakos | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
7 Red Bull Salzburg | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
8 Omonia Nicosia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
10 Beşiktaş | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
14 Dinamo Zagreb | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
15 Ferencváros | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
16 Hapoel Be'er Sheva | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
18 Lech Poznań | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
20 NEC Nijmegen | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
23 Sturm Graz | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
24 Union Saint-Gilloise | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
25 Viktoria Plzeň | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
26 Lillestrøm | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
27 Torreense | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
28 Jagiellonia Białystok | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
29 Anderlecht | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
30 AZ Alkmaar | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
31 Celta Vigo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
32 Levski Sofia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
34 Celje | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
36 Ararat-Armenia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
Key
- Position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8: 8th Finals
- Position 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24: Play-off
Please note:All times are UK. Some content is provided by third parties, is subject to change, and is unverified.
Team Lineups
home team,Celtic
Manager:Martin O'Neill
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
Starting lineup
Substitutes
home team,Celtic
away team,Ferencváros
Manager:Balázs Borbély
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
Starting lineup
away team,Ferencváros
home team,Celtic
Manager:Martin O'Neill
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
Starting lineup
Substitutes
away team,Ferencváros
Manager:Balázs Borbély
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
Starting lineup
Substitutes
Match Officials
- Referee:
- Patrik Kolaric
- Video Assistant Referee:
- Mario Zebec
- Assistant Referee 1:
- Luka Pajic
- Assistant Referee 2:
- Ivan Starcevic
- Fourth Official:
- Dario Bel
- Assistant VAR Official:
- Jan Boterberg
Match Stats
Key, Celtic v FerencvárosBasic Stats
Overall possession
Celtic 82.1%Ferencváros 17.9%
Shots
Celtic 2Ferencváros 0Shots on target
Celtic 0Ferencváros 0Total touches inside the opposition box
Celtic 5Ferencváros 0Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 0Ferencváros 0Aerial duels won
Celtic 1Ferencváros 0Fouls committed
Celtic 0Ferencváros 0Corners
Celtic 3Ferencváros 0In-depth match stats
Attack
Shots
Celtic 2Ferencváros 0Total offsides
Celtic 1Ferencváros 0Distribution
Total passes
Celtic 18Ferencváros 5Pass accuracy %
Celtic 94.4Ferencváros 60Backward passes
Celtic 2Ferencváros 0Forward passes
Celtic 5Ferencváros 1Total long balls
Celtic 1Ferencváros 1Successful final third passes
Celtic 3Ferencváros 0Total crosses
Celtic 5Ferencváros 0Defence
Total clearances
Celtic 0Ferencváros 5Season so far
UEFA Europa League
Key, Celtic v Ferencváros
League position, Celtic 11th, Ferencváros 14thTotal points, Celtic 1, Ferencváros 1
Form guide
All competitions
Celtic lose
v Rangers
3
0
League Cup
Ferencváros won
v DEAC
0
7
Magyar Kupa
Celtic won
v St. Johnstone
0
1
Premiership
Ferencváros draw
v Újpest
2
2
NB I
Celtic won
v St. Mirren
1
2
Premiership
Ferencváros won
v Győri ETO
0
3
NB I
Celtic won
v Aberdeen
3
0
Premiership
Ferencváros won
v Puskás
1
2
NB I
Celtic won
v Falkirk
2
1
Premiership
Ferencváros won
v Trabzonspor
4
0
UEFA Europa League
Previous scores
All competitions
UEFA Europa League
Ferencváros 2 , Celtic 3 on the 4th of November 2021
Ferencváros
Celtic
4th of November 2021
Celtic 2 , Ferencváros 0 on the 19th of October 2021
Celtic
Ferencváros
19th of October 2021
UEFA Champions League
Celtic 1 , Ferencváros 2 on the 26th of August 2020
Celtic
Ferencváros
26th of August 2020
Match Facts
Celtic’s only previous encounter with Ferencváros in major European competition came in the group stages of the 2021-22 UEFA Europa League, with the Scottish side winning 2-0 at home and 3-2 away.
Celtic haven’t drawn any of their last 22 home matches in the UEFA Europa League since a 2-2 draw with Fenerbahçe in October 2015 (W11 L11), losing three of their last five on home soil.
Ferencváros have only lost one of their last nine group games in the UEFA Europa League (W5 D3), losing 0-4 at Nottingham Forest in their final group match of 2025-26.
Six of Ferencváros’ 17 goals in the UEFA Europa League last season came via crosses, the most of any side.
Celtic’s Callum McGregor has played 74 times in major European competition for the club, the most of any player in Celtic’s history. He could become the fifth Scotsman with 75+ games in Europe, after Allan McGregor (78), Billy Bremner (76), David Narey (76), and Kenny Dalglish (75).
Please note:All times are UK. Some content is provided by third parties, is subject to change, and is unverified.
