Celtic’s Benfica Test Could Turn on Three Names: Durán Mystery, Carter-Vickers Worry and Jota Twist

Celtic head to Lisbon with a welcome win behind them and three big team-selection questions hanging over Martin O’Neill.

The 2-0 victory at Motherwell stopped a run of three defeats and gave the squad a lift. But Benfica away is a very different test, and the latest training picture has added fresh uncertainty before Thursday night’s Europa League clash.

Durán’s absence raises the first question

Camilo Durán was missing when Celtic trained before travelling to Portugal, despite scoring against Motherwell. There is no confirmed explanation for his absence in the reports available so far, so it would be premature to call it an injury.

Durán also missed training before the Ferencváros match, but that was put down to a visa appointment connected to his Colombia duty. That earlier explanation does not tell us what is happening now.

If Durán is unavailable, Celtic lose a forward who has made an impact at an important moment. His goal at Fir Park helped settle a nervy afternoon, and his movement could have given Benfica’s defenders a different problem to solve. O’Neill will need to clarify whether this is a minor issue, illness or simply a precaution.

Carter-Vickers remains a serious doubt

Cameron Carter-Vickers is the more established concern. He missed Motherwell with a strain and was also absent from the latest training session. After the win at Fir Park, O’Neill said the medical staff believed Thursday might come too soon.

That makes the centre-back a serious doubt for Lisbon, even if a final decision has not been publicly confirmed.

Celtic have options, but each brings a different question. Dane Murray and Liam Scales started together against Motherwell, with Auston Trusty on the bench. If Carter-Vickers cannot play, O’Neill must decide whether to keep faith with the pair who helped secure the clean sheet or bring Trusty into the back line.

Away to Benfica, that choice matters. Celtic need enough composure to play out, but they cannot afford to be casual when the home side press.

Jota’s Lisbon return is ruled out

Then there is Jota. His return from a 533-day competitive absence was one of the emotional moments of the Motherwell win. The Lisbon trip would have made a compelling next chapter: a former Benfica player, back in Celtic colours, facing his old club.

But the European squad list closes that door. Jota was not registered for the Europa League league phase, so he cannot feature against Benfica. His return is a boost for Celtic’s domestic options, but it does not solve Thursday’s selection puzzle.

Celtic need more than one good result

Celtic need a response in Europe after losing their opening league-phase match to Ferencváros. The Motherwell result gives O’Neill something to build on, though one domestic win does not erase the defensive questions raised by recent defeats.

The trip to Estádio da Luz will test whether Celtic can carry their better energy into a much tougher setting.

The headline team news is still unresolved: Durán’s absence needs an explanation, Carter-Vickers looks unlikely to make it, and Jota is ineligible. Celtic supporters should watch for O’Neill’s final update before kick-off. Until then, the smart reading is concern, not certainty.