Celtic Just Handed the Boost EVERY Hoops Fan Had Been Praying For
Celtic supporters woke up on Tuesday morning to the kind of news that had been whispered about in living rooms and group chats for days.
Celtic have been handed a potentially significant boost ahead of Thursday night’s crucial UEFA Europa League clash
Beşiktaş’s most important player, club captain Orkun Kökçü, remains a major injury doubt for
Thursday night’s Europa League clash at Celtic Park and the latest updates from Istanbul suggest the Turkish side are preparing for life without him.
As of 3 November 2026, Turkish media including Sözcü, BirGün and Fanatik confirm that the 25-year-old midfielder will be assessed during Tuesday’s training session.
Head coach Vincenzo Italiano will then decide whether Kökçü is fit enough to travel to Glasgow.
The overwhelming consensus is that any remaining pain in the partial plantar fascia tear will see him left behind.
With the international break following this weekend, Beşiktaş have the luxury of protecting their star without derailing their season.
For Celtic fans who have watched their side take zero points from the first three Europa League matches, this is the exact boost they had been praying for.
Why Kökçü’s Absence Changes Everything
Orkun Kökçü is not just another name on the team sheet. Since arriving from Benfica he has been the heartbeat of Beşiktaş.
The former Feyenoord Player of the Year dictates tempo, creates chances, scores important goals and wears the captain’s armband with authority.
In the matches he has missed this season Trabzonspor, Crystal Palace, Başakşehir and Kasımpaşa — Beşiktaş have looked a different side.
Their midfield loses its control, their transitions slow down, and their ability to dominate games drops noticeably.
Without him, Beşiktaş have managed just one win in four competitive fixtures. That record will not have gone unnoticed inside the Celtic dressing room.
Martin O’Neill’s players know that Thursday night offers a genuine opportunity to finally get their European campaign moving.
Beşiktaş currently sit on seven points from three games and occupy a strong position that would secure automatic qualification for the Round of 16 under the new format.
Celtic, by contrast, are on zero points and face an uphill battle to reach even the playoff places.
A home win against a Beşiktaş side missing their most influential player would transform the outlook for the rest of the league phase.
Celtic’s Own Injury List Still a Concern
While the potential absence of Kökçü is huge positive news, Celtic are not exactly overflowing with options themselves.
Alistair Johnston is definitely out after suffering another hamstring injury just 13 minutes into his return against Hibernian. The Canadian right-back will not feature until after the international break.
Yang Hyun-jun remains a doubt after a long-term hamstring problem, although he has been edged closer to availability in recent days. J
ota is ineligible for the Europa League squad, and Kieran Tierney is being carefully monitored after picking up knocks in the weekend defeat to Falkirk.
Despite those absences, the mood around Celtic Park has lifted. Supporters understand that facing Beşiktaş without their captain is a far more favourable scenario than facing them at full strength.
The atmosphere on Thursday night is expected to be electric, and O’Neill will be demanding a response after three straight European defeats.
Beşiktaş Still Dangerous Even Without Their Captain
It would be foolish to write Beşiktaş off completely. Even without Kökçü they retain genuine quality.
Leandro Trossard, so influential in Arsenal’s title-winning campaign last season, offers creativity and cutting edge from the left.
Dušan Vlahović brings proven goal-scoring pedigree, while the midfield contains experienced operators who can still control matches.
Beşiktaş have remained unbeaten in the Europa League league phase so far and will travel to Glasgow determined to strengthen their position near the top of the table.
They also arrive on the back of a frustrating 2-2 draw with Kasımpaşa in which they threw away a two-goal lead.
That result, combined with patchy away form in the Süper Lig, means Italiano’s side will be highly motivated. Celtic cannot afford to underestimate them simply because one key player is missing.
The Stakes for Both Clubs
For Celtic the equation is simple. Three points against Beşiktaş would keep their progression hopes alive and inject belief into a squad that has looked short of confidence in Europe.
Anything less would leave them staring at an extremely difficult path to the knockout stages. With several tough fixtures still to come, a home win is non-negotiable if they want to remain in the conversation.
Beşiktaş, meanwhile, see the game as an opportunity to take a major step towards automatic qualification.
A positive result in Glasgow would underline their credentials as one of the more consistent performers in this season’s competition and silence any lingering doubts about their ability to perform on the road.
The injury situation surrounding Orkun Kökçü has added an extra layer of intrigue. As of Tuesday afternoon the decision on his participation remains pending, but every indication points towards Celtic being spared the task of dealing with Beşiktaş’s most complete midfielder.
That is the boost every Hoops supporter had been hoping for.
Thursday night at Celtic Park now feels like a genuine opportunity. The crowd will be loud, the stakes will be high, and the home side will know that the visitors are missing a player who usually makes the difference.
Whether Celtic can finally convert that knowledge into three points remains to be seen, but for the first time in this Europa League campaign the stars appear to be aligning in their favour.
All eyes will now turn to the final training sessions and the squad announcements in the next 48 hours. One thing is already clear: Celtic have been handed a significant advantage. It is up to them to take it.