A reminder of the line-ups...published at 19:40 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
Summary
Siger & Tokmac goals give visitors shock win
Deflected Christie drive had pulled Celtic level
Scottish champions drop into Europa League third qualifying round
A reminder of the line-ups...published at 19:40 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Remember Bratislava?published at 19:37 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
If Celtic were to lose tonight, it would the first time in 15 years that they were to go out before the third qualifying round of the Champions League.
The last time? Artmedia Bratislava in 2005. On that occasion, Gordon Strachan's Celtic reign started with a 5-0 loss in Slovakia, with a 4-0 home win ultimately futile.
Exiting tonight would be a similarly crushing disappointment. It's also a reminder not to underestimate any opponent at this level.
Image source, SNSImage caption, Celtic went out to Artmedia Bratislava in 2005, despite a 4-0 win at home in the second leg, they lost 5-4 on aggregate
'Why isn't Klimala match fit?'published at 19:34 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC SportsoundQuote MessageHow do you get them [Ajeti and Klimala] match fit if they don't play games? Klimala I would question. Why isn't he match fit? He's been here long enough
Rebrov banking on away formpublished at 19:32 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
Image source, SNSFerencvaros head coach Sergiy Rebrov is banking on his side's road trip resilience, the Hungarian outfit having not lost in seven away games in the Champions League qualifiers or Europa League last season, winning twice.
"At this stage, all teams are quality, it doesn't matter what kind of league they have won," the former Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Ukraine striker said.
"Everyone knows Celtic are the number one seed in the qualification rounds, we all understand, but we all have to concentrate on ourselves and I am sure we have a chance."
'It's the best team we can put out' - Lennonpublished at 19:29 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has confirmed that Odsonne Edouard has missed tonight's game with a thigh injury. However, despite the Frenchman's absence, Lennon believes his squad has the strength in depth to progress tonight against Ferencvaros.
"Edouard's got a niggle in the thigh. It was too sore for him yesterday," Lennon tells BBC Sportsound.
"It's a loss for us but we have plenty of quality in the team tonight.
On the decision not to start with a recognised striker, Lennon adds: "Ajeti is not match fit and Klimala isn’t match fit.
"We haven’t maybe got that recognised centre-forward but Christie and Elyounoussi can play there. We've got a lot of goals in the team as well.
"While it's been a bit of a headache, we feel it's the best team we can put out at the minute.
"I’m looking for a big team performance, this club isn’t about individuals. We have plenty of cover and plenty of players who can win the game."
Rebrov at the helmpublished at 19:26 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
Ferencvaros are managed by Ukranian legend Sergiy Rebrov, who had spells at Tottenham and West Ham, as well as Dynamo Kyiv.
He's led Ferencvaros to back-to-back Hungarian titles and a more than respectable Europa League campaign. It would be another feather in his cap if his team were to dump Celtic out tonight.
Image source, SNSImage caption, Sergiy Rebrov is manager of Frencvaros
'Ferencvaros won't be intimidated'published at 19:23 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writerQuote MessageI think Celtic will win this but I think they will have to play pretty well to get through. Ferencvaros won't be intimidated and I don't think they will be afraid of Celtic
Hungarians impressed in Europa Leaguepublished at 19:19 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
The visitors are coming into this campaign off the back of a very impressive Europa League run last season.
They lost just once in the group stages, to Ludogorets of Bulgaria. However, the only won once, drawing the other four to miss out on the last 32 by a point.
Nonetheless the win over CSKA Moscow, and draws with Espanyol are certainly respectable. Celtic will surely be well aware of the danger.
What do we know about Ferencvaros?published at 19:16 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
If I'm being honest, not much. I'm no Hungarian football expert. Luckily, Sportsound's match commentator Liam McLeod has done his research, and you can read his scout report on the Hungarian champions here.
One thing is for sure, they're no mugs and over one leg present a very serious threat to Celtic's group stage ambitions.
Image source, SNSImage caption, Ferencvaros trained at Celtic Park on Tuesday
Football treated harshly?published at 19:12 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writerQuote MessageIn the information vacuum you have a lot of football fans saying rugby is being treated favourably and this is a class issue. The feeling is rugby is getting fans in on Friday night because it's a middle class sport. I don't know if that's true, but that's the perception.
Celtic plan for fan return rejectedpublished at 19:10 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
Celtic's plan to use Sunday's Premiership game with Motherwell as a test event with fans has been rejected by the Scottish government.
Celtic wanted up to 1,000 fans to attend but sports minister Joe Fitzpatrick has turned down the plan.
The first sports event in Scotland with fans since lockdown will be Friday's Pro14 match between Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors.
You can read more here.
Can striker-less Celtic find goals?published at 19:06 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
Odsonne Edouard's injury absence is a blow for Celtic, but they haven't really been free scoring in their last few games anyway. 6-0 win against part-timers KR Reykjavik aside, they struggled to break down both Dundee United and Kilmarnock in their last two domestic games.
Ryan Christie, James Forrest and Mohamed Elyounoussi all have goals in them, though, and Neil Lennon has backed them to do the business. Will they find their form this evening?
Who's playing up front?published at 19:03 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Radio ScotlandQuote MessageI think it will be Ryan Christie or James Forrest through the middle. We know Ajeti is not fit in terms of starting the match. Klimala's the one where he's come on and scored against Hamilton, come on since and then he's not playing. I don't know if it's a fitness issue, or how he's been performing in training.
Three Celtic changespublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
As well as the absence of Odsonne Edouard due to injury, there are two other changes to the Celtic side which beat Dundee United 1-0.
Kristoffer Ajer returns to the side at centre-back in place of Nir Bitton, while Hatem Elhamed replaces Jeremie Frimpong at right-back. James Forrest also comes in to replace the injured Edouard.
Edouard missing for Celticpublished at 18:28 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
BreakingCeltic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
The team news is in, and it's not ideal reading for Celtic fans. Odsonne Edouard has been struggling with a thigh injury and doesn't make the squad.
Celtic: Barkas, Elhamed, Jullien, Ajer, Taylor, Brown, McGregor, Ntcham, Forrest, Christie, Elyounoussi
Substitutes: Bain, Bitton, Ajeti, Klimala, Soro, Frimpong, Harper
Ferencvaros: Dibusz, Botka, Kovacevic, Blazic, Civic, Sigér, Kharatin, do Rosário Calmon, da Silva Barbosa, Chol Nguen, Uzuni
Substitutes: Bogdán, Heister, Dvali, Boli, Škvarka, Laiduni, R. Varga
Celtic continue group stage pursuitpublished at 16:52 British Summer Time 26 August 2020
Celtic v Ferencvaros (19:45)
Celtic continue their quest for the fabled land of the Champions League group stages at home to Hungarian champions Ferencvaros.
One thing's for sure - they'll give Celtic a much tougher time than KR Reykjavik did last week, when they lost 6-0.
We'll have team news as soon as it's out, then we'll kick off our build up at around 7pm - stick with us!