Celtic Park is set for another dramatic European night on Thursday as they welcome Portuguese side Braga with the Bhoys seeking their first European victory of the season.

The atmosphere promises to be unlike the usual thunder that greets the players under the lights. Supporters have announced plans to stage a 29-minute protest against the board, leaving an unusual hush around the stadium until close to the half-hour mark.

It’s a gesture aimed at voicing frustration with the hierarchy, but it also creates a curious challenge for Brendan Rodgers’ side: how to seize control of a match without the instant backing of a roaring Parkhead crowd.

On the footballing front, the stakes are clear. Celtic began their Europa League campaign with a 1–1 draw away to Red Star Belgrade. A solid enough result, but it leaves little margin for error at home. If the Hoops want to build momentum in a group that looks tight on paper, three points against Braga could be crucial.

Braga, however, are no strangers to making life uncomfortable for opponents. They kicked off their group stage with a win, and while their domestic form has been patchy, they remain a team capable of springing surprises.They’re compact, disciplined, and more than capable of striking on the counter through players such as Ricardo Hortaand Fran Navarro. For Celtic, that means patience and concentration will be just as important as attacking flair.

Rodgers doesn’t have fresh injury worries, but absences remain a storyline. Alistair Johnston, Auston Trusty and Jota are long-term casualties, meaning Celtic have already had to adapt their defensive and attacking structure without them.The back line has looked relatively stable, but the question still lingers over whether Celtic can consistently unlock stubborn defences at this level. European nights often hinge on moments of sharpness in the final third, and that is where Celtic must deliver.

Keys to the game feel straightforward yet decisive. An assertive start, even without the immediate roar of the stands, will be vital. Braga will look to ride out the opening half-hour, frustrate, and then grow into the contest. Celtic’s ability to stay compact when out of possession will matter too, as the Portuguese side thrive on transitions and quick breaks. Set-pieces may also play a role in what is likely to be a finely balanced encounter.

Once the protest ends, Parkhead will explode into life, and that energy could swing momentum. But Rodgers and his players cannot afford to wait for the noise — they need to take command from the first whistle. Anything less risks handing Braga the belief they need to snatch a result.

It won’t be straightforward, and it might not be pretty, but for Celtic this feels like a must-win night.