Meet the three Braga players that could cause Celtic problems in Europa League clash

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Celtic’s second Europa League game of the season sees them face SC Braga at Celtic Park.

The Hoops earned a point on the road in their first game of the campaign after drawing 1-1 away to Red Star Belgrade.

Braga are one of Portugal’s most successful clubs and will pose a threat at Celtic Park, even if Brendan Rodgers will back his side to get the job done.

Despite the opposition’s dreadful start to the season, they will still have plenty of talent to cause Celtic issues.

With that, here are three players in the Braga squad that the Bhoys must be wary of.

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Ricardo Horta

Ricardo Horta has been a mainstay in the Braga side for many years, and has been the club’s captain since 2021.

Plenty of European sides have been linked with the 31-year-old, however, he has remained loyal to the side and is capable of finding the back of the net.

He may only have two goals so far this season, but has regularly hit double figures in the past and has an abundance of European experience.

Joao Moutinho

He may be 39, but Joao Moutinho is still playing every week and is one of the first names on the Braga team sheet.

Moutinho can dictate the tempo from the middle of the park, albeit from a much deeper role than when he used to be playing in Europe for the likes of Porto, Monaco and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Whether he can last a full 90 minutes is another thing, but someone with the footballing IQ of Moutinho cannot be afforded to have to enough time to get his foot on the ball and orchestrate the Braga style.

Rodrigo Zalazar

Rodrigo Zalazar is Braga’s top goalscorer this season, and one of the few shining lights in a very disappointing season.

Four of Zalazar’s five goals have come in the Europa League qualifiers and only one in the league, but the stats don’t lie and on paper, he poses the biggest threat as it stands.

Zalazar is the younger of the midfield duo alongside Moutinho, and will provide more of an attacking outlet for the Portuguese side.