Sportsound reaction from Celtic Park by hitting 'listen live'
Scales & Nygren score within three minutes of each other after break
Horvat flashes in stunning opener for Sturm, who have Chukwuani sent off for ugly challenge on McGregor after going behind
Johnston & Iheanacho both go off injured early on
FT: Brann 3-0 Rangers - Rangers bottom of Europa League table after Rohl's first game
FT: AEK Athens 6-0 Aberdeen - Record European defeat for Thelin's side in Conference League
AEK Athens 0-0 Aberdeen
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland in Athens
The home fans around me are feeling a bit nervous about how their team have started the game. They look like a team lacking in confidence. Aberdeen have been excellent in the opening 10 minutes.
AEK Athens 0-0 Aberdeen
Aberdeen are playing some nice stuff here. They win possession inside their own half and go on the attack, but it comes to nothing and the hosts go up the other end.
Brann 0-0 Rangers
An early touch for Youssef Chermiti as he cushions it down smartly for Thelo Aasgaard, but the early foray forward for the visitors breaks down.
Chermiti has already put himself about quite a bit as he tries to hold it up and bring his team-mates into the game.
AEK Athens 0-0 Aberdeen
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound
I wasn't expecting that effort from Karlsson.
It was certainly an audacious effort.
Brann 0-0 Rangers
Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland in Bergen
Danny Rohl wanted speed and intensity from his players, I'm not sure he's seeing either from his side so far. Brann look very comfy in possession, and have threatened more than the Rangers new Head Coach would like.
AEK Athens 0-0 Aberdeen
It's been a bright start for Aberdeen, who have been putting a bit of pressure on AEK Athens' backline.
Alexander Jensen wins a free-kick right in the middle of AEK's half and Jesper Karlsson launches it towards goal, but his shot bounces wide.
AEK Athens 0-0 Aberdeen
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Sportsound
They'll be confident, the change of shape has helped them.
The players and manager are in a good place.
Not many people are expecting them to get a result there, but I think they can go and get a result.
Away we go in Bergen and Athens.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSBrann v Rangers (17:45)
Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland in Bergen
This Brann Stadion is fairly small compared to others in Europe. The capacity is 17,500, but it's full tonight and it's noisy - very noisy.
We're so close to the pitch, it's enclosed so that all adds to the atmosphere. It's building up very nicely.
Image source, SNSBrann v Rangers (17:45)
There's no easy presser as a Rangers boss and Danny Rohl was asked yesterday about his hopes of winning silverware this term, despite a woeful start to the campaign for the Ibrox side.
Here's what the new head coach had to say...
'We'll see where we are' - Rohl on silverware hopes
Brann v Rangers (17:45)
Steven Thompson
Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound
I think there’s an inexperience there at managerial level. When you’re going into a club the size of Rangers and all the other things off the pitch that affect you... time will tell if he can cope with that.
His CV is decent, but as far as games managed is concerned, he hasn’t managed an awful lot of football. Just short of 100 games.
This is an entirely different animal. The next five games are going to be huge for him. He needs to win games and get fans onside.
Going into the next international break, we’ll have a better idea of what Danny Rohl is all about. You’ve got to give him the benefit of the doubt.
He’ll get the backing of the Rangers supporters - it’s up to him to go and get results.
Brann v Rangers (17:45)
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl tells TNT Sports: "To see my players on the pitch is the most important point, we are ready.
"I think it's important today that we do our basics right. I think we found a good balance.
"I think it's important we get a good first impression. You can watch videos beforehand, but you have to feel the guys.
"My conviction today is I have a good team on the pitch with speed to attack the last line, we want to be more direct than the last games.
"We have to stick together, we need more compactness, and know when to press at the right time."
"I said before I have to respect the traditional things," he adds on wearing a club suit.
Image source, SNSBrann v Rangers (17:45)
Image source, SNSAfter narrowly missing out on the Norwegian top-flight title last year, Brann are embracing their first foray into the Europa League since its rebrand.
Beaten heavily by Red Bull Salzburg in Champions League qualifying, they made it into the Europa League with wins over Hacken and AEK Larnaca.
Domestically, they are already 24 matches into their 30-game domestic league season and sit third behind leaders Viking and reigning champions Bodo/Glimt.
With a seven-point gap to close, the title looks beyond them, but they will be eyeing Europa League progression after taking three points from their first two fixtures - victory at home to Utrecht followed a narrow defeat in Lille.
Brann average 62% possession in their league, with left-back Joachim Soltvedt being the man who creates most of their chances and top scorer Bard Finne has finished off 11 of them.
They warmed up for Thursday with a 4-1 win over Haugesund on Saturday, with Finne netting a double, boosting their impressive home form.
AEK Athens v Aberdeen (17:45)
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound
The balance of the squad going into this game looks good.
If Aberdeen can show what they have done in the two previous games then they have a chance.
AEK Athens v Aberdeen (17:45)
Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland
Serbia striker Luka Jovic, who cost Real Madrid a reported £52m in 2019 after a scorching season for Eintracht Frankfurt.
It did not work out for him at the Bernabau, with just three goals in 51 appearances, and similarly barren spells at Fiorentina and AC Milan followed. He's on the bench.
Starting goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha was very highly thought of at Lazio before a failed move to Brentford.
You may remember former Liverpool and Porto midfielder Marko Grujic, always threatening to make it big but not quite managing. He's a substitute.
The long blond hair of starting centre-back Domagoj Vida will be recognisable from Croatia's runs to World Cup finals and semi-finals.
It was all going pretty well for AEK until last weekend. They were unbeaten in their first six league games but lost to PAOK on Sunday in the catchy 'Double-Headed Eagles Derby'.
AEK will be hurting from that and Aberdeen will have to be wary of a reaction.
Read more: What awaits Aberdeen in Athens?
Image source, Getty ImagesCroatia defender Vida starts for AEK Athens
AEK Athens v Aberdeen (17:45)
On James Penrice, he faced the media yesterday and spoke about his experience in Greece so far: "It's been very different, it's been very up and down, but I've enjoyed every minute of it.
"It's been a massive life experience, a massive change for me. I expected it to be hard. It's taken me a bit of time to adjust.
"[Aberdeen have] signed a lot of players in the summer. There's a big turnaround. I've tried to give [AEK] the best insight as possible. We will be prepared for the game."
AEK Athens v Aberdeen (17:45)
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland in Athens
About 1,600 Dons fans have made the trip to Greece hoping that their team can continue their winning run.
And as impressive those victories against Dundee and St Mirren were, it is likely to take a season's best performance to head back to Scotland with a victory.
Despite losing to fellow title contenders PAOK at the weekend, AEK are a quality side and like Aberdeen will be hoping for their first points in this Conference League after suffering defeat to Celje in their opening fixture.
The Opap Arena was built just three years ago and the atmosphere is sure to be hostile despite a partial closure of the stadium after suffering the wrath of Uefa after pyros were thrown in their qualifier against Anderlecht back in August.
A big night as well in store for James Penrice, who made the move to Athens in the summer from Hearts.
His last meeting with Aberdeen was the Scottish Cup semi-final last season when the Dons won in extra time.
It's a busy night for the Sportsound team. The gang are providing live match commentary of all three matches tonight.
Build-up is already under way on BBC Radio Scotland Extra, or just listen in via this page.
Image source, SNSAEK Athens v Aberdeen (17:45)
After a miserable start to the season, Aberdeen look to be on a road to recovery following back-to-back wins over Dundee and St Mirren.
Now they are aiming to ignite their Conference League campaign, which started with an opening 3-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Another tough test awaits them away to AEK Athens...
Europe 'super important' for Aberdeen - Thelin
Brann v Rangers (17:45)
Rangers fans, I've just seen a picture of Danny Rohl from the Brann Stadion.
Breaking news: he's wearing a suit.
I know some of you really care about that.
Image source, SNS| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Midtjylland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 9 |
|
2 Sporting Braga | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 9 |
|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| |
4 Dinamo Zagreb | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
|
5 Viktoria Plzeň | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
|
6 Freiburg | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
|
7 Ferencváros | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
|
8 Brann | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
|
9 Celta Vigo | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
|
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| |
12 Go Ahead Eagles | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
|
13 Young Boys | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
|
14 Fenerbahçe | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
|
15 Porto | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
|
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| |
18 Bologna | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
|
19 Genk | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
|
20 PAOK | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
|
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 4 |
| |
22 Panathinaikos | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
|
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
| |
24 Basel | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
|
25 Feyenoord | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
|
26 Ludogorets Razgrad | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 3 |
|
27 Sturm Graz | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
|
28 FCSB | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
|
29 Stuttgart | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
|
30 Red Star Belgrade | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
|
31 Malmö FF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 1 |
|
32 Maccabi Tel Aviv | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 1 |
|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 0 |
| |
34 Red Bull Salzburg | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 0 |
|
35 Utrecht | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
|
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Jürgen Säumel
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Jürgen Säumel
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
UEFA Europa League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Celtic and Sturm Graz have never previously faced in European competition – the Scots have won just two out of 12 games against Austrian sides (D3 L7) and have lost their last three games against Austrian teams.
Sturm Graz have won three of their five previous major European matches against Scottish teams (L2), including a 2-1 win over Rangers last time out. Barcelona in 2007-08 are the only side to ever beat both Celtic and Rangers in a single European campaign in the UEFA Champions League.
This match will be Brendan Rodgers’ 63rd in Europe with Celtic (inc. qualifiers), moving him outright second ahead of Neil Lennon (62) for European games managed, behind only Jock Stein (68).
Sturm Graz rank bottom for passes per sequence (2.4), open play sequences with 10+ passes (3), average sequence time (5.9 seconds) and successful passes (491) in the UEFA Europa League this season.
Celtic winger Sebastian Tounekti has made the most opposition half take-ons (15) in the UEFA Europa League this season, while he’s also made the most take-ons in the opposition box (5).
