Celtic Scored Seven, Celta Conceded 20 Shots… Thursday Could Be Absolute Chaos At Paradise.

Thursday night at Celtic Park could be absolute chaos.

And for once, I’m looking at a European fixture with genuine optimism about what Celtic might produce going forward.

We’ve just demolished Hearts 7-1, while Celta Vigo arrive in Glasgow having reportedly allowed Alavés 20 attempts at goal despite winning their domestic fixture.

Now, I’m not suggesting Scottish football and La Liga are directly comparable. However, when you start looking at the attacking options Martin O’Neill suddenly has available, there’s every reason to believe Celtic can cause the Spaniards serious problems.

Celtic Suddenly Have Options Everywhere

One of the most encouraging things about Sunday’s performance wasn’t simply the seven goals.

It was the variety of players capable of making something happen.

Take Callum Osmand, for example.

I’d love to see him start against Celta Vigo, provided he’s recovered from the hamstring concern that saw him withdrawn against Hearts.

Give him the first 45 minutes, perhaps even an hour, depending on how the game develops.

Then unleash Jota.

If Jota’s match fitness allows him another 45 minutes, what a wonderful option that is. You’re asking one defence to deal with two completely different attacking threats over the course of an evening.

That’s something Celtic haven’t always had the luxury of doing.

Durán, Hassan And The Importance Of Having A Plan B

Camilo Durán’s form makes him an obvious candidate to lead the line on Thursday.

He’s playing with confidence, scoring goals and causing defenders all sorts of problems.

Haissem Hassan must surely be in the conversation for his first Europa League start too.

I cannot fathom why he wouldn’t be.

His pace, directness and determination to get at defenders are exactly what Celtic need against opposition who appear vulnerable when attacked.

Then consider Kasper Høgh.

If Celtic find themselves protecting a lead and coming under serious pressure, Høgh offers a physical presence and an out ball further up the pitch.

Sometimes you need somebody who can hold possession, occupy defenders and give everyone else a chance to get up the park.

And don’t forget James Forrest.

If we’re hanging on towards the end, Jamesy’s experience and ability to retain possession could become invaluable.

Suddenly, Martin has different solutions for different situations.

Why Should Celtic Fear Celta Vigo?

For many Celtic supporters, Celta remain something of an unknown quantity.

But the more you look into their recent performances, the more you realise there are vulnerabilities worth targeting.

Conceding 20 shots in a match isn’t something to ignore.

Of course, Celtic have defensive concerns of their own. We conceded opportunities against Hearts, and European opposition are generally far less forgiving.

That’s precisely why Thursday could become such an entertaining, unpredictable encounter.

Both teams have reasons to believe they can hurt the other.

The difference for Celtic is that we now have attacking players showing they can take their chances.

Seven goals on Sunday wasn’t an accident.

There was pace, movement, aggression and, most importantly, confidence.

Martin O’Neill has options from the first whistle to the final one.

If Celta Vigo are prepared to give Celtic opportunities, we’ve got players capable of punishing them.

And for once, I’d rather concentrate on what we can do to European opposition than spend another week worrying about what they’ll do to us.