Celtic Predicted XI: Riga FC (A)

A trip to Latvia is on the cards as the Hoops look to take one step closer to the Europa League group stages.

Thursday’s opponent are Riga, the reigning Latvian Higher League champions. They’ll no doubt be prepared to make the one-off tie as tough as possible for Neil Lennon’s men.

They sit four points clear at the top of the table after 19 games, losing just two so far.

They advanced to the third qualifying round after edging out as 1-0 winners over San Marino outfit S.P. Tre Fiori.

Celtic’s path to this stage looks quite different, as we all know. They crashed out of the Champions League qualifiers, Hungarian’s Ferencvaros the side to inflict the 2-1 defeat in Glasgow.

This is the Scottish champions’ first European appearance since that lacklustre loss and they’ll be determined to right their wrongs.

We’re on a good domestic run, winning our last five league matches; though not all by a convincing margin. The question is: does Lennon stick with the three-at-the-back, or does he opt for a flat back four?

His team selection is likely to be one that can alter between the two formations throughout the match, so expect some surprises.

Here’s how we think the manager will have his side lined up on Thursday night.