How Celtic’s Remaining European Opponents Faired Over the Weekend

Only one of Celtic’s remaining four Champions League opponents won in what appeared to be a weekend of European hangovers.

The Hoops tasted victory on the road to Kilmarnock yesterday thanks to goals from Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kuhn, but the same cannot be said for Club Brugge.

Despite a 1-0 win over Aston Villa midweek, they failed to defeat Beerschot in the Belgian league on Sunday, drawing 2-2 away from home. Nicky Hayen brings his side to Glasgow in just over a fortnight.

Dinamo Zagreb, whom the Bhoys face away from home in December, also drew 2-2 at the weekend. They continued their far-from-impressive run of league form this season, failing to beat eighth-place HNK Gorica on the road.

The only one of Celtic’s remaining Euro opponents who won over the weekend was Young Boys. They have started the Champions League poorly, having not won a Game yet, although they secured a vital three points in the Swiss top flight yesterday, narrowly beating Lugano 2-1.

Finally, Aston Villa were in action on Saturday night. Away at English Premier League leaders Liverpool, they were beaten by two goals to nil and now have won only two of their last eight Games.

Unai Emery’s side will likely recover before they face Celtic in January, although Brendan Rodgers will want his side to be home and dry in the top 24 before making the trip to Birmingham. Given his side’s start in Europe so far this season, such an ambition is entirely realistic.