Celtic go into the game against Besiktas knowing that it is a must-win for them. The Hoops have lost their first three matches in the competition this season.

So, they already have an uphill climb on their hands if they want to get past the group phase of the Europa League this time around. A top-eight finish feels somewhat impossible from here. But if things improve, one would imagine Celtic can get into the play-off round.

For that to happen, they need to start winning their games, especially those that are set to be played at home.

It is easier said than done though. Besiktas are a team in form. They have won two and drawn one of their three games in the Europa League so far this season.

That has placed them in eighth after the opening three matchdays. So, even with home advantage on their side, Celtic will enter this game against Besiktas as the underdogs.

UEFA have confirmed the officials who will be taking charge of the game between Celtic and Besiktas at Parkhead.

Sascha Stegemann of Germany has been named as the referee for the match. He will have Christof Günsch and Marco Achmüller as his two assistants.

Benjamin Brand will be on VAR duty and will have Patrick Hanslbauer as his assistant. Martin Petersen has been named the fourth official.

Hopefully, there will be no contentious refereeing decisions to speak of coming out of the game, and there will be a clear and outright winner.

One has to wonder how much is riding on this game. Celtic have won just three of their last ten matches across all competitions, with a lot of players seeming lost on the pitch.

Obviously, that means that there is pressure on Martin O'Neill at the moment. But is the Celtic board willing to make a change?

Ultimately, it might come down to O'Neill and whether he feels that he cannot take this forward, in case the results do not improve before the November international break.

That does mean that this Besiktas game is even more important for Celtic and could have long-term implications on their future.

Ideally, one would hope that Celtic are able to turn it around somewhere. Changing managers in the middle of the season rarely works. Just look at how the Wilfried Nancy situation played out. But if things do not improve, the club might be left with no other choice but to replace O'Neill.