Celta Vigo manager Claudio Giráldez admits captain Iago Aspas could start at Celtic Park in their Europa League showdown.

Both sides remain in search of their first points in this season’s league phase, with Celtic eager to follow their 7-1 rout of Hearts up with a performance in front of the Hoops support.

Aspas, a Celta and Spanish football legend, has already confirmed his plans to retire at the end of this season. The 39-year-old came through the ranks at the La Liga club before moving to Liverpool in 2013. A season later and he joined Sevilla, where he won the Europa League with the club renowned for its success in the competition.

See the Celtic fixtures for 2026/27 for what comes next.

Aspas returned to Celta in 2015, where he’s been ever since. He has made 580 appearances for The Sky Blues, scoring 223 goals and assisting 91.

The skipper recently missed two fixtures due to a hamstring injury but returned at the weekend. After coming off the bench, he set up Celta’s second goal a minute later in their 2-1 win over Deportivo Alavés. That alone shows the damage he can inflict on any team.

His manager admitted that caution is required to manage Aspas’ fitness, but that he could start against Celtic. Giráldez said (via AS):

“He’s better. We have to be careful. He’s not ready for 90 minutes, but he could play longer. He’s one of the options to start. He’s not experiencing any discomfort in the injured area.”

There will be no on-pitch return to Celtic Park for Carl Starfelt, who is injured, though the defender travelled with the squad to return to the stadium where he tasted so much success.

Winger Pablo Durán has been cleared of a calf problem, and could start for the Spaniards.

World Cup winner Borja Iglesias will miss the game due to injury.

For Celtic, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston have been back training, but will be absent for Thursday night’s match. Callum Osmand is fit after coming off at half-time in the win over Hearts. Austin Trusty will be unavailable following the sad passing of his father.