Celtic and Martin O’Neill already have their work cut out in the Europa League.

It’s crazy to think, but that’s what happens when you lose your first two matches, as Celtic fell well short again on Thursday night, this time against Benfica in Lisbon.

Six Europa League games remain for the champions of Scotland in the league phase, including some former players, such as Hyeongyu Oh and Carl Starfelt, returning to Glasgow.

But while Celtic were losing to Benfica, some of their upcoming opponents in Europe, including Oh, were enjoying themselves, so how is everyone getting on? 67 Hail Hail had a look.

How far away are Celtic from genuinely competing with sides like Benfica and why?

Benfica are one of the favourites for the Europa League, something the Hoops should genuinely be targeting

Celtic’s upcoming Europa League opponents: Marseille in troubled waters and Hyeongyu Oh shines for Beşiktaş

Last season, nine points was enough to secure qualification to the play-off stages of the Europa League, with SK Brann of Norway securing the 24th and final spot.

The season before that, ten points did the trick as Fenerbahçe SK, now in the Champions League, finished ahead of 25th-placed Braga on goal difference.

That being said, Celtic will need to start picking up wins as soon as possible, because this could start to drift away from them before Christmas arrives.

The issue is that four of their upcoming opponents have already picked up wins, so they have that head start, while Marseille are in a world of trouble in France.

It didn’t work out for Oh at Celtic, but he is certainly enjoying himself outside of Scotland, including helping Beşiktaş to three massive points against Hoffenheim last time out.

Oh netted a brace, as well as supplying an assist, as Beşiktaş beat their German opponents 3-2 on the road. That’s after his side’s 4-1 thumping of Marseille on the opening week of the Europa League.

Talking of Marseille, not only have they lost big players this summer, but they are in financial trouble and facing a possible relegation battle in Ligue 1.

That’s why it isn’t a surprise that they have lost their opening two matches, conceding five goals along the way, two fewer than Celtic.

But while one former Celtic player thrives, Starfelt and his Celta side are also searching for their first win. Injury has currently sidelined the former centre-back, and it remains to be seen if he will be fit for his side’s trip to Glasgow.

Either way, Celtic don’t want to be travelling to Belgium for their final league phase match, needing a win against Union Saint-Gilloise, who are strong favourites to secure a top eight finish.