It can be a challenge to work out if Martin O'Neill has tongue in cheek when giving the media headlines, but the Celtic boss had the support concerned yesterday when he said he was "worried" for the fans regarding January transfers.

The manager reiterated that the club "obviously need to strengthen the squad" before the winter transfer window closes on Monday.

"It's what we are trying to do," he said. "Whether we have anyone in before the weekend, I don't know, but we are making strenuous efforts.

"I think we can do something. The days are pressing, but I'm hopeful. I'm reasonably confident we can do it.

"If we get through in the Europa League, there are at least a couple of games and you need a proper squad for that.

"We're trying to get as much quality as possible. Lots of names have been put forward - lots of people I've taken an interest in, one or two have been thwarted. But we're working on it."

Earlier today, reports emerged, external that Celtic are apparently looking to bring in Frenchman Fares Ghedjemis and fellow winger - and Hungarian international - Damir Redzic.

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl: "For us, it’s a challenge to see where we are.

"When we arrived with the group yesterday in the stadium, for some players it is the first time they’ve played in such an environment.

"You don't need motivation, this is a good platform for them to show how good they are.

"I have to manage the group’s load, to have a good game on Sunday as well.

"I’m happy with [Youssef Chermiti's] development, he works really hard for group, made fantastic runs against Celtic. We continue to help him, and for him it’s playing at home - it’s amazing for him."

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Including qualifiers, Rangers have lost their past five away matches in Europe, which is already their joint-longest run of consecutive defeats on the road in Europe.

The Ibrox side have also failed to win any of their previous three away matches against Porto, drawing 1-1 in the Europa League in the most recent of those games in October 2019.

Meanwhile, Porto have won all of their three home matches in the Europa League this season; they last won four consecutive home matches in major European competition between October 2018 and March 2019 in the Champions League.

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl expects "the next three, four days to be a little crazy" as they try to assemble the best possible squad for the Scottish title run-in.

The German was reluctant to discuss transfer plans in detail but did concede they were looking to add "an attacking player".

Asked how many players he wanted to bring in before deadline day, he said: "I have a number in my head. [Chairman] Andrew [Cavenagh] knows it, the recruitment knows it," Rohl said.

"Some moments you think you have a yes, then maybe not. But, all in all, I think, at the end of the window, we should have a good number of players."

Reports have suggested Rangers knocked back offers for winger Djeidi Gassama and striker Youssef Chermiti this week, and Rohl believes that is positive for the club.

"I think we will keep our best players," he said. "We have big goals this season, we are in two competitions and we need our best players. We want to strengthen our squad, not make it weaker."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

Porto will present the biggest challenge of Rangers' recent improvement under head coach Danny Rohl.

Francesco Farioli's side need to win on Thursday to get into the Europa League's top eight and straight through to the last 16, as they sit ninth on goal difference as it stands.

That gives the 36-year-old Italian reason to play his strongest side as they also aim to stretch their unbeaten run to 12 games, having won 10 of their last 11.

Porto's biggest strength is their defence.

Arsenal loanee Jakub Kiwior and former Southampton centre-half Jan Bednarek, along with Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, have been the bedrock of a strong unit.

They have also recruited 41-year-old Champions League winner Thiago Silva to their ranks, although he cannot be registered before the knockout stage after his switch from Fluminense.

Celtic face Utrecht knowing a victory would seal a place in the knockout phase.

The Scottish champions have eight points and are 24th in the table, the last play-off berth, while Utrecht are already eliminated in 34th.

A draw would not be enough to progress if Ludogorets, Feyenoord and Basel win, while Steaua Bucharest and Go Ahead Eagles could also finish above Celtic if Martin O'Neill's side draw and they earn handsome victories.

If Celtic lose, Ludogorets would just need a draw to leapfrog Celtic because of their superior goal difference.

A familiar face is at Parkhead this evening.

Slots right into an all-time Celtic XI, eh?

Image source, SNS

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland

Celtic would have struggled to handpick a better final fixture than Utrecht at home, knowing they will probably need a victory to lengthen their Europa League campaign.

Utrecht are in bad shape, and not just in this competition, from which they have already been eliminated.

They sit third from bottom in the Europa League table and are one of three sides yet to register a victory, having collected just one point from their seven games, although that did come against Porto, who face Rangers tonight.

Having finished fourth domestically last season, this time they wallow in 11th place, seven points adrift of the final Eredivisie European play-off place.

Ron Jans' men have lost their past five matches in all competitions, including last week at home to Genk on matchday seven.

They also went out of the Dutch Cup at the start of the month while struggling to find any rhythm in the league.

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland in Porto

James Tavernier equals Allan McGregor's European appearance record for Rangers tonight, playing his 109th game for the club.

Looks like Rangers are lining up in a back five, with Findlay Curtis an interesting inclusion in the starting XI.

BBC Radio Scotland Extra

Sportsound coverage is already under way.

You'll have a choice of listening at 20:00 GMT, with Celtic's match against Utrecht on BBC Radio Scotland Extra and Rangers' trip to Porto available online.

Take your pick on this page via our 'watch & listen' tab.

Image source, SNS

Danny Rohl appears to have changed Rangers' shape for the game against Porto, while swapping five from the team that started Sunday's 3-0 win over Dundee.

Max Aarons comes in, potentially playing as a right wing-back, while Mohamed Diomande moves into midfield.

The front three is made up of teenager Findlay Curtis, Djeidi Gassama and Youssef Chermiti. The latter pair have been linked with moves away from Ibrox in recent days.

On the bench, there's room for teenagers Josh Gentles, Arran Kerr, Lewis Stewart and Alexander Smith.

Porto have a few recognisable names in their ranks, including ex-Southampton defender Jan Bednarek and Arsenal loanee Jakub Kiwior.

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Celtic boss Martin O'Neill makes two changes to the side that drew 2-2 at Hearts on Sunday.

Colby Donovan replaces Julian Araujo at right-back and Sebastian Tounekti comes in for Tomas Cvancara, who is ineligible, as Daizen Maeda leads the line.

O'Neill is boosted by the return of striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who is on the bench.

For Utrecht, former Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas starts, while Jesper Karlsson, whose loan spell at Aberdeen was cut short earlier this month, is also ineligible.

Image source, SNS

Porto: D Costa, A Costa, Bednarek, Kiwior, Moura, Froholdt, Varela, Mora, Gomes, Samu, Pepe.

Substitutes: Ramos, J Costa, Eustaquio, Veiga, Zaidu, Rosario, Sainz, Prpic, Gul, Fernandes, Miranda, Bras.

Rangers: Butland, Aarons, Tavernier, Fernandez, Djiga, Meghoma, Raskin, Diomande, Curtis, Gassama, Chermiti.

Substitutes: Kelly, Wright, Souttar, Kerr, Smith, Stewart, Antman, Aasgaard, Miovski, Moore, Gentles.

Celtic: Schmeichel, Donovan, Trusty, Scales, Tierney, McGregor, Engels, Nygren, Yang, Tounekti, Maeda.

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Doohan, Balikwisha, McCowan, Iheanacho, Bernardo, Murray, Forrest, McArdle, Ralston, Hale, Isiguzo.

Utrecht: Barkas, Vesterlund, Van der Hoorn, Viergever, Murkin, Zechiel, Engwanda, De Wit, Cathline, Rodriguez, Blake.

Substitutes: Brouwer, Gadellaa, Van den Berg, Bozdogan, El Karouani, Didden, El Arguioui, Van Ommeren, Menzo, Haller.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Rangers' European campaign ends tonight, but what about Celtic?

Martin O'Neill's men host Utrecht knowing a win will progress them into the Europa League knockout phase, while Danny Rohl's eliminated side are in Portugal to face Porto.

The team news has landed...