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Celtic wildcard brought in from the cold as Martin O'Neill sacrifices two gamechangers vs Celta Vigo - predicted XI

Record Sport examines how the Scottish champions could line up for Thursday's Europa League showdown at Parkhead

Celtic veteran Martin O'Neill

When you splash out £11million-plus on a marquee signing, these are the nights you expect your record transfer to come alive.

But the likelihood is that misfiring Danish hitman Kasper Hogh will watch most of Thursday's Euro clash from the sidelines. The ex-Bodo\Glimt star is enduring one of the toughest spells of his career after extending his goal drought to 10 games.

Hogh was a goal machine in Norway and netted six Champions League goals - including a deadly double against Man City last season - to put his name on the map. But the 25-year-old has been unable to replicate that prolific form since his bumper summer switch to Parkhead.

And with Camilo Duran dazzling in the lone striker role, Hogh might well have to warm the bench again for the visit of Celta Vigo. However, fans can expect to see some changes from the starting XI that struck a Magnificent Seven goals past the Jambos on Sunday.

Benjamin Nygren has been a G/A machine for Celtic but the Super Swede has a tendency to go missing in the bigger games. The playmaker was left out of last week's 4-1 pummelling at the hands of Benfica and might be sacrificed again - despite notching a double against the Jambos.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in action

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in action(Image: Mark Runnacles/Shutterstock)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain must be wondering what it will take for him to get a game and the ex-Champions League winner could be brought out of cold storage. The ex-Liverpool, Arsenal and England superstar hasn't started since Celtic's 3-0 win over Aberdeen at the start of September, and has only made a handful of cameos since.

With fringe man Oliver Sorensen unconvincing in the middle of the park, O'Neill might rely on Ox's experience to pull the strings against a slick Celta side. Fit-again Callum Osmand was a revelation at left wing as he marked his first senior start with a first-half brace at the weekend, before being subbed off at half-time as a precaution.

The ex-Fulham hitkid has been plagued with hamstring issues since joining the club last year and O'Neill will carefully manage his minutes to avoid any further setbacks. That could see the 20-year-old settle for a place among the subs, with evergreen winger James Forrest taking his place.

Otherwise, O'Neill could stick with the same team that romped to their biggest win of the season as the Scottish champions look to get their European campaign back on track.

Predicted Celtic XI

How Celtic could line up

How Celtic could line up

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