“They’re Going to Be Furious” – Beşiktaş Boss Braces for Angry Celtic Onslaught Amid Bleak Form Crisis
Beşiktaş manager Vincenzo Italiano has issued a stark warning ahead of Thursday night’s high-stakes UEFA Europa League clash at Celtic Park,
admitting he fully expects to face an “angry” Celtic side desperate to end their nightmare start to the competition.
With the Scottish giants still stuck on zero points after three matches and the Istanbul club sitting pretty on seven,
the Italian coach knows the atmosphere in Glasgow will be hostile and the hosts will come out swinging.
Speaking to the media on November 4, 2026, just 24 hours before the fourth matchday of the Europa League league phase,
Italiano left little doubt about the challenge awaiting his players.
The former Conference League finalist with Fiorentina has guided Beşiktaş to an impressive start in Europe despite a demanding fixture list, and he is determined not to let Celtic’s desperation become a problem for the Black Eagles.
Beşiktaş Riding High While Celtic Search for First Points
A former Conference League finalist with Fiorentina, Italiano knows the European landscape well and has overseen a strong start to Beşiktaş’ League Phase campaign despite a tough run of fixtures.
Victories against Marseille and Hoffenheim as well as a draw to Crystal Palace have the Istanbul giants on seven points from three games.
That haul has them sitting comfortably in the upper half of the table and firmly in the hunt for a top-eight finish that would secure direct passage to the round of 16.
For Martin O’Neill, things are looking much more bleak.
The Hoops are still searching for the first points on the board of their European campaign having lost all three of their opening games.
The pressure is mounting on the Celtic legend, who returned to the dugout earlier this year,
and the statistical reality is harsh: teams that lose their first three league-phase matches almost never recover to reach the knockout stages.
O’Neill himself acknowledged the urgency in his own pre-match media duties, admitting the Bhoys are “running out of matches” and need to start collecting points immediately.
Speaking before the game, Italiano said he was ‘surprised’ by their poor results so far. The Italian’s honesty was refreshing.
He has faced Celtic before – most recently last season while in charge of Bologna – and remembers a thrilling 2-2 draw after trailing 2-0.
Yet he is under no illusions that playing at Celtic Park will be an entirely different proposition.
Italiano: “We Might See an Angry Celtic Tomorrow”
“Our opponents have no points in Europe. We need to have the same motivation. We need to be just as motivated as they are when they play strongly against us,” Italiano explained.
“I played against Celtic last season [in charge of Bologna].
It was a great match, we were 2-0 down and then made it 2-2. Playing against Celtic here is different.
“There’s the home advantage. I’m also surprised that Celtic have zero points. We might see an angry Celtic tomorrow. I think that will make things difficult for us.
They will want to win and get points. I think it will be a tough match. We need to do a good job tomorrow. We all need to be ready.”
Those words carry significant weight. An angry Celtic at home is a different animal from the side that has struggled to find any rhythm in Europe so far this season.
The famous Celtic Park roar has been known to lift average performances into inspired ones, and Italiano is clearly preparing his players for a barrage of intensity from the first whistle.
Different Focus Levels: Why Beşiktaş Are Thriving in Europe
On his side’s campaign so far, he continued: “The league and Europe are different. We’re doing very well in Europe.
We only have one defeat, and that was the return leg against Zalgiris, after winning the first match 3-0. We have a different level of focus in Europe. We’ve achieved significant things here.
“It’s never easy. We worked very hard to get here, we played very tough matches. Right now, we are focused on Europe.
We want to get points here, get out of the group, and do even better. Tomorrow will be a tough match. We will be playing in a truly magnificent stadium in front of impressive fans.”
That distinction between domestic and European performance has been a recurring theme for Beşiktaş this season.
While results in the Süper Lig have been solid rather than spectacular at times, the Black Eagles have looked sharper, more organised and more clinical on the continental stage.
The squad appears to raise its collective concentration levels when the Europa League anthem plays, and Italiano has repeatedly praised that elevated focus.
Squad News: Kökçü Set for Bench Role as Trossard Flexibility Key
He finally said on his squad: “Trossard is a well-known, proven, intelligent player who reads the game well. He is a footballer who can play in midfield and on the wing. We will see what kind of solution we will find.
“I am thinking about how to involve all the offensive players in the game. We were without [Fabio] Miretti and Orkun [Kökçü]. We lacked their passing quality, their final touches, their game reading, and their shots.
“I think we got positive results even when they weren’t there. Orkun will be on the bench tomorrow.
We want to give him playing time and activate him. Hopefully, tomorrow’s plans will go as we want and he will join us.”
The return of captain Orkun Kökçü to the matchday squad is a major boost. The Turkish international has been sidelined with injury and his creativity, vision and shooting threat have been noticeably absent.
Italiano’s plan to start him on the bench and introduce him later suggests a careful reintegration rather than an immediate full return. Fabio Miretti remains unavailable, meaning the midfield will continue to rely on the energy of Wilfried Ndidi, Salih Özcan and Junior Olaitan.
Leandro Trossard’s versatility remains one of the key tactical weapons in Italiano’s armoury.
The Belgian can operate as a number 10, a wide forward or even deeper in midfield, giving Beşiktaş multiple ways to unlock a Celtic defence that has looked vulnerable throughout their European campaign.
Meanwhile, former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu is expected to be involved and has already spoken emotionally about the prospect of facing his old club, admitting he might even cry if he scores.
Talking Points: What Must Martin O’Neill Change?
After just three wins in 10 matches across all competitions in recent weeks, the spotlight is firmly on Martin O’Neill and the tactical adjustments required to reverse Celtic’s fortunes.
The veteran manager has already conceded that the side must start delivering points immediately if any hope of progressing in the Europa League is to remain alive.
Key questions remain over Celtic’s defensive organisation, their ability to control midfield against technically superior opponents, and whether the attack can find the cutting edge that has been missing.
O’Neill may look to inject more energy and directness into the side, potentially giving starts to players such as Kasper Høgh, Sebastian Tounekti or Benjamin Nygren who can offer different dimensions.
Beşiktaş, by contrast, will arrive with confidence and a clear identity. Italiano’s side press high, transition quickly and possess quality in the final third through the likes of Dušan Vlahović, Trossard and the returning Kökçü.
The Turkish club’s ability to manage game states – something they demonstrated in the hard-fought draw with Crystal Palace – could prove decisive if Celtic come flying out of the blocks as expected.
Celtic Park Awaits: Atmosphere Could Be Decisive
There are few venues in European football quite like Celtic Park on a European night. The intensity of the home support can intimidate visiting teams and inspire the hosts in equal measure.
Italiano has already acknowledged the “magnificent stadium” and “impressive fans,” signalling that his players have been thoroughly prepared for the cauldron that awaits them.
For Celtic supporters, this is more than just another Europa League fixture. It represents a chance to kick-start a stuttering European campaign and restore some belief after a difficult opening to the league phase.
A positive result would not only put points on the board but also ease the growing pressure on the manager and the squad.
Beşiktaş, however, will not be coming to Glasgow simply to sit back and defend. Italiano’s teams are built to compete, to take the initiative when possible, and to punish any lack of concentration.
With seven points already secured and momentum on their side, the Black Eagles believe they can leave with a positive result that further strengthens their position in the table.
Latest Updates as of November 4, 2026
As of the latest reports on November 4, Beşiktaş have confirmed their full travelling squad for the trip to Scotland, with Orkun Kökçü included after recovering from injury.
The only notable absences remain Fabio Miretti and the suspended Ümit Akdağ. Celtic, meanwhile, continue to assess their own options, with O’Neill expected to make several changes from the side that lost to Falkirk at the weekend in a bid to inject fresh energy into the team.
Referee for the match will be Germany’s Sascha Stegemann, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 UK time (23:00 Turkish time) at Celtic Park.
The game will be broadcast live on TRT 1 in Turkey and available through the usual UEFA platforms across Europe.
Both managers have struck a measured but determined tone in their final media appearances.
O’Neill insists Celtic remain capable of qualifying despite the poor start, while Italiano has repeatedly stressed the need for total concentration and matching Celtic’s expected intensity.
The stage is set for a fascinating encounter between a side full of European confidence and another fighting for survival in the competition.
Whatever happens on Thursday night, one thing is already clear from Italiano’s comments: Beşiktaş are fully prepared for the storm that an angry Celtic is expected to bring. Whether that preparation will be enough to keep the Black Eagles’ impressive European run going remains to be seen under the lights at Paradise.