Iain Dowie names the “brilliant” Celtic talent who gives them an extra dimension in Europe

Martin O’Neill has been told to unleash all of his firepower at Celtic Park ahead of the Hoops’ Europa League kick-off next week.

Celtic continued their flawless start to the domestic season over the weekend with a 2-1 win at St Mirren, but were demoted to the Europe’s second tier competition following the devastating Champions League qualifying defeat to LASK.

Scottish struggles in Europe have been a league wide point of debeate following the humiliating loss in Austria, with rivals Rangers dumped out of continental competition entirely and Hearts needing penalties to limp into the Conference League.

The Bhoys brought in a whopping six players in the final days of the transfer window in an attempt to build a sqaud capable of competing on multiple fronts. Joel van den Berg’s move from PSV and Jordan Lotomba’s arrival from Feyenoord joined Oliver Sorensen, Shim Mheuka, Sam Johnstone and Landon Emenalo, and O’Neill was encouraged by what he saw from his new signings in Paisley following a frantic end to the summer transfer window.

“(Haissem) Hassan, one v ones, he can beat players all day long,” the manager said, adding that Mheuka is not far away from starting games.

The real revamp came in attack, where Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran and Hassan were brought in for fees totalling more than £22m combined, while Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels went the other way.

O’Neill backed to go all out attack in Europe

REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Former striker Iain Dowie insists Hogh and Duran could put the title out of reach for the rest of the Premiership – and give Celtic another level in Europe.

“I get Hearts having confidence of challenging the big boys, but I have a feeling that Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran are going to run away with it for Celtic,” Dowie said. “Kasper Hogh got a hat-trick against Kilmarnock and Duran has scored six goals already.

“It’s brilliant. Duran is scoring goals, and I think those two might run away with it. I like both of those players. Duran has really caught the eye lately, and Kasper Hogh clearly did well with that hat-trick.”

The pundit pointed to Hogh’s continental pedigree as a major asset for O’Neill heading into Europe.

The Hoops host Hungarian side Ferencvaros in their Europa League opener at Parkhead next week before a trip to two-time European Cup winners Benfica, and it’s fair to say Hogh’s experience for Bodo/Glimt gives them a dimension they haven’t been able to offer in recent years.

Boasting goals against Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter, the Dane certainly isn’t afraid of the spotlight, with 12 goals and four assists across 26 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League combined.

O’Neill’s team selection was heavily criticised following the defeat to LASK, with Yang Hyun-jun and Benjamin Nygren among the worst offenders, and unleashing an all-out attacking approach with their new-look front three of Hogh, Duran and Hassan could be just what the doctor ordered when some of Europe’s finest come knocking in Glasgow.