Who should Martin O’Neill start vs Bologna in the Europa League?
Celtic still have plenty to do if they are to secure a place in the Europa League knockout rounds. After six matches in the league phase, the Hoops have picked up just seven points, leaving their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
Their wins so far have come at home to Sturm Graz and away to Feyenoord at De Kuip, the latter ending a four-year wait for a European away victory during Martin O’Neill’s first spell as interim manager. A 1–1 draw with Crvena zvezda in Belgrade has been their only other positive result, with defeats to Braga, Midtjylland and Roma proving costly.
Ahead of matchday seven, Celtic sit 24th in the standings, occupying the final knockout spot. With a home game against Utrecht still to come on the last matchday, attention now turns to a daunting trip to Italy to face Coppa Italia holders Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Thursday night. Celtic have won just once in 16 previous visits to Italy, that famous 2019 victory against Lazio.
If O’Neill’s side are to improve that record and take a huge step towards qualification, there is one attacker he simply has to trust.
The forward Celtic must start against Bologna
Celtic’s biggest issue this season has been a lack of attacking firepower. The departures of Kyōgo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kühn and Adam Idah over the past year have not been properly replaced, leaving the squad short of proven goals.
Summer signings Sebastian Tounekti, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Shin Yamada have yet to truly convince, while Kelechi Iheanacho has been sidelined by a hamstring injury and has not featured in the Premiership since October.
Against that backdrop, Benjamin Nygren has emerged as Celtic’s standout performer.
Benjamin Nygren’s Celtic statistics this season
| Category | Nygren | Squad rank |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes played | 2,047 | 7th |
| Goals | 12 | 1st |
| Assists | 6 | 3rd |
| Shots | 57 | 1st |
| Shots on target | 26 | 1st |
| Big chances created | 8 | 4th |
Nygren’s numbers tell the story. He is Celtic’s leading goalscorer, their most frequent shooter, and one of their most creative players — all despite not having a fixed role in the frontline.
Originally signed from Nordsjælland as a right-wing option, the Swede has been used far more centrally under each manager he has played for in Glasgow. Wherever he is deployed, his influence on Celtic’s attacking play has made him close to undroppable.
Crucially, Nygren has already delivered on the European stage, scoring in both of Celtic’s Europa League victories this season. Against a strong Bologna side, his composure and end product could once again prove decisive.
If Celtic are to boost their hopes of reaching the knockout stages, Benjamin Nygren simply has to be on the team sheet on Thursday night.