How Celtic’s Europa League opponents started their campaigns

Originally posted on The Celtic Star | By Conor Spence | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 3:04 AM ET

Celtic began their Europa League journey this season with a 1-1 stalemate against Red Star Belgrade in the Serbian capital last Wednesday night but how did the Hoops’ seven other opponents get on last week?

Kelechi Iheanacho put Celtic ahead in the second half, but Marko Arnautovic quickly equalised for the home side, leaving both teams to share the spoils.

Celtic still have seven group stage matches remaining, each against a different team. Here’s a look at how all their upcoming opponents performed on the opening matchday.

Braga – set to visit Celtic Park on Thursday night and whose manager Carlos Vicens is under huge pressure – kicked off their Europa League campaign with a surprising 1-0 victory over Feyenoord.

Sturm Graz, who arrive in Glasgow in three weeks time and play theRangers on Thursday evening in Austria, began their campaign with a 2-0 loss at Midtjylland, while Celtic will travel to Denmark to face Hibernian’s Europa League qualifiers nemesis on matchday four.

Following that, Celtic will travel to Rotterdam to face Feyenoord at De Kuip, who, as noted, were defeated by Braga in Portugal last Wednesday.

In December, Brendan Rodgers’ side will welcome Roma to Celtic Park, after the Italian club kicked off their Europa League group with a 2-1 away victory over Nice.

Looking ahead to the new year, Celtic will face another Italian side, Bologna, who were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa in Birmingham on Thursday evening.

Celtic will close out their group stage on matchday eight with a home clash against Dutch side Utrecht, who were handed a 1-0 defeat by Lyon last week.

A reminder that Celtic’s kick-off time this Thursday is at the unusual time of 5:45pm. If the Hoops are to have any real progression in the competition, the home matches will be important.

That was shown in last season’s Champions League where Rodgers’ men won three and were held to a 1-1 draw with Club Brugge in their four group stage games. That kind of form must be replicated this campaign or four home wins would be even better!